Hi I’m Helen “Dibsy” Templeton.
I was having a chat the other day with a colleague about the importance of football to the lives of young children and the discussion was along the lines of furthering opportunity outside of football and encouraging young people to experience a wider range of activity.
The conversation turned to me as a child (many, many years ago!) and I was always giving everything a go. Any sport I could get a hand at, I was in there… Football, golf, athletics, cross-country, not to forget good old highland shinty; a game feared by even the bravest of highland lassies!
There was always something about the beautiful game that kept enticing me back. I’m not sure even now, 26 years later what that something was, but I know it’s still there and I know I can’t shake it.
It was at the age of four I made the decision to get involved and have a go. Even though it meant rainy playtimes playing on gravely Tarmac, skint knees and “Rock, Paper, Scissors” to find out who was going to climb the fence and fish the ball out of the neighbouring loch, I can happily say I’ve never looked back since.
One of only two girls in my primary school to play, meant growing up playing along side the boys and by Primary 7, I was allowed to go along and train with the local senior team. From here, I was well and truly inspired by the skill, determination and both physical and mental attributes required to be a top level player.
First year at high school came and with it, more new friends who had also caught the footy bug. I still remember to this day, first week in high school, pestering the PE teacher: “Let get a girls footy team Sir, can we!? can we!?” and, from what I’m led to believe, it’s still thrives today, 18 years later!
I don’t think a day went by in my high school years where I didn’t kick a ball. I was always told “You’ll get to an age where you will discover make up and parties; football will become a thing of the past.” I’m still waiting for that to happen!
In my latter years at school I joined Ross County LFC, where I had the privilege of playing against a childhood hero and arguably one of Scotland’s greatest female players, Julie Fleeting! This was a dream for me and one that only added fuel to the fire.
I then was accepted into Moray House in Edinburgh to do PE teaching. This led me to join Guilianos ladies, who were in the Scottish Premier League at that time. The caliber of player in this league was something I could only aspire to be.
Playing alongside the likes of Shelley Kerr and being coached by ex Scotland Internationalist Maggie Wilson made Sundays by far my most favoured day of the week! To play along side and against characters I had grown up watching on the tele and in admiration of, was a dream come true.
I then crossed the River Forth and spent the next few seasons playing for Dunfermline Athletic LFC and Raith Rovers LFC, before moving west to join Hamilton Accies.
I was also privileged in representing my country at Scottish University level for three years. I have made so many friends through football over the years and have had the privilege of traveling the length and breath of the country to represent my team.
Hamilton Accies was where I settled for eight years, the longest spell at any club since I first kicked a ball. Accies will always hold special memories for me. I was made to feel part of the family from the day I signed. Which made my decision to leave one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made.
26 years of playing the beautiful game and I still have the passion just as much as I did when I first kicked a ball at the age of four. Which leads me to where I am now, a new challenge.
I have just this week signed with Motherwell Ladies FC and have taken on the role of Media Liaison officer. A fantastic opportunity for me to be part of such a forward thinking club, both on and off the pitch. It has been great to get to know the staff and players this first week and everyone has been so lovely and welcoming.
I am really looking forward to the challenges ahead and am very excited to be part of what’s to come. And what is that I hear you ask? Well as they say, stay tuned for regular articles sharing all that is girls and women’s football at Motherwell FC!
I am ecstatic to say that with my first article I bring some fantastic news from the Motherwell camp. Alise Stewart from the Under 15s squad has been selected for international duty – Brilliant news Alise, well done! We are all very proud of you and wish you the best of luck.