Congratulations to former player now in first-ever Saudi Arabia Women’s Football League

After lockdown, Tankerton FC was contacted to see if a player could train with us because flight restrictions would not permit her to fly from the UK to Saudi Arabia, and she was missing playing football. The Tankerton U18s and Women’s manager said that we are always open to new players training with us, especially with the Club being a community club.

Laila fitted in brilliantly and trained firstly with our U18s Girls and then with our Women’s team. Laila's attitude in training was fantastic and always positive and her technical ability was incredible. Laila was also very supportive to players in both teams and, in such a short time, she made an amazing impact on both teams.

Thankfully, the restrictions were removed and Laila was able to return to Saudi Arabia. We would like to thank Laila for the impact she made on the Club.

The BBC recently reported that Saudi Arabia was launching their first women’s football league. Tankerton FC was then contacted by Laila’s dad, Andy, to say that Laila was playing in the first Saudi Arabia Women’s Football League and is one of the only expats playing. Andy wanted to thank Tankerton FC for letting his daughter train with us during the lockdown. All of the U18s and women’s team sent congratulations to Laila, with messages such as “That is incredible, she’s a fantastically talented player and such a lovely girl”, "Wow, that’s amazing”, etc.

It is so great to see and read about the growth in the girls' and women’s game and to know that we have made a small impact on the game in Saudi Arabia. The game is growing all over the world, which is fantastic. At Tankerton FC we have gone from having 12 players 4 years ago to now having over 100 girls and women registered with the Club.

The women’s game is growing and growing, and if you need any further evidence of this come and join us at The Whitstable School or St Edmund's. You will have the chance to see the joy and happiness of the girls and women playing football, which makes volunteering so worthwhile.

• Tankerton Wildcats for girls aged 5 to 11 years old, 5pm to 6pm at The Whitstable School
• Tankerton Girls' training 13 to 18 years old, 7.30pm to 9.30pm at St Edmund's School, Canterbury
• Tankerton Women’s team, 8pm to 9pm at The Whitstable School