Rising through the Ranks - London Bees’ Tia Ginn

For Tia Ginn, football has never been just a hobby, it’s been a lifelong commitment that started from a back garden kick about with her brother leading into the heart of competitive football. From playing with boys in a village team to dreaming of representing England, here’s the story of London Bees goalkeeper, Ginn.

A Keeper from the Start

“I’ve been playing football for about 14 years now,” Ginn says. It all started at her local club, Bovingdon, a small village side where she found herself the only girl in the team – and the only girl goalkeeper in the league. “It was tough at times,” she admits, “People would look and think, ‘Oh, it’s a girl in goal.’ But there’s nothing more satisfying than proving them wrong. It’s not about gender. It’s about your quality and how much work you put into the sport.”

The inspiration to get between the sticks came from her brother, the classic story. He needed someone to shoot against, and Tia stepped in. From that point on, her love for goalkeeping grew.

Her early days in a boys’ team were challenging but formative. “Starting my career in a boys team was the best thing I could have done,” she reflects. “They supported me and treated me like one of them. That shaped me.”

Navigating Change and Chasing Growth

Despite the strong foundation at Bovingdon, transitioning between clubs wasn’t always easy. “I’ve never been good with change,” she admits. “I like to have the same people around me.” After Bovingdon, she began training with Watford Ladies at just eight years old – despite them not having a team for her age group yet. She trained with full-size goals and alongside first-team keepers, an experience she still holds close to her heart.

From there, she had a stint at Arsenal, then moved through several clubs trying to find the right fit. Eventually, her path led back to Watford, the club that first believed in her talent.

Growing up in Bovingdon left a deep mark on her game. “It’s a small village, but playing there shaped me into who I am. The boys never treated me differently, and that gave me confidence from a young age.”

She played for Bovingdon for five years before reaching the age limit for mixed teams, a bittersweet ending to her time there.

Choosing Football Over University

While many of her friends began exploring university paths, Ginn knew hers would be different. “Uni was never really an option,” she says honestly. “I’ve always struggled academically, concentrating, revising - it wasn’t my strength.”

First moving to London Seaward initially on a seven day approach, Ginn played there for a season before moving to her current club, London Bees. She considered going to America to play football, but the idea of leaving home was difficult to stomach. “Football was growing fast here, and I was already in a good place at London Bees. I wanted to see where I could go without needing to move my whole life abroad.”

Despite having the grades, she chose to bet on herself and her football career instead.

Breaking Through the Barriers in Women’s Football

Being a woman in football still comes with its hurdles. “It’s hard seeing how far behind women’s football still is compared to the men’s game,” she says. “Yes, it’s improving, but there are still so many people who don’t take it seriously.”

She’s had her share of tough moments, especially during her younger years. “It really affected me. But looking back, it’s made me stronger – as a player and as a person.” She believes the key is to keep proving people wrong. “People will always doubt you because you’re a girl. But when you prove their points wrong, it’s the best feeling.”

Highlights and Big Moments

When it comes to career highlights, there are a few standout memories for her. “Our FA Cup run was amazing. We got further than many of us ever had in our careers.” But one moment holds a particularly special place.

“Playing at Brentford Stadium with Watford – that was surreal. We hadn’t played in front of a big crowd before, and suddenly we were there, with fans in the stands, playing alongside our mates. The atmosphere was incredible.”

What the National League Needs

Having now played in the FA Women’s National League, she’s seen the gaps that still need bridging. “Publicity is a big one. If there’s no media coverage, how are crowds supposed to grow? Some clubs do more than others, but overall, the National League lacks the spotlight it deserves.”

She’s passionate about growing the game and wants to see more investment and attention on clubs at that level. “There’s so much talent, but without visibility, people just don’t know about it.”

Her dreams are big, but grounded. “Since I was a kid, I’ve wanted to wear an England kit and play in front of a massive crowd – like every football-mad kid. But right now, I’m focused on this season. I want to help get promotion and build our fanbase again, getting the club back to where it deserves to be.”