From the First Ladies Team in Cyprus to Aris. The Story of Demetra Elia
I began playing football with the boys of my neighbourhood when I was ten.
I was twelve when the boys formed a team, which I also joined without any second thoughts. I stayed with them until I found out that Amathous was created, which was one of the first ladies football teams in Cyprus.
Despite my mom’s views that football was inappropriate for girls and thanks to my father’s support, I put on my brand new SEPO’s (football shoes) and joined Amathous.
These were tough times for girls like me, chasing their dreams in a manly sport.
I knew, however, that sports are not divided by gender or stereotypes.
Sport is a field of freedom, equality and noble rivalry.
I was sure about my choice, I wanted to play football.
In the beginning, there were no other women teams, so we were playing against men’s teams, mostly from the third division, until we found out that Akrotiri British Forces had a ladies team too. Since then, we organised games with them as well.
Pele, Lefkothea, Amazones, La Bella: all of these women teams were created the following years.
Even though I was a basic player at Amathous, I kept playing with boy’s teams when they needed an extra player in games between the school teams.
I kept playing football in a tough era of taboos and stereotypes until college. I lived my dream of playing football, proudly carrying Number 10 on my T-shirt and I did it well.
All of these beautiful memories from my time as a football player have kept my passion for football alive for all these years. I have always wished to someday return and feel the sense of the football pitch once more.
Aris Limassol FC gave me the chance to return to the football field, this time not as an attacking midfielder Number 10, but as the Team Manager of the Aris WFC.
I want to express my gratitude to the owners and the management of Aris FC, who gave me this opportunity and entrusted me to be a part of the first ladies team of the club!
