Becky Corkish is Leading the Charge for Women’s Football on the Island

Becky Corkish kicked her first football at the age of four and hasn’t stopped since. Now, as captain of the Isle of Man Women’s National Team and a Gef 30 Under 30 Leadership category winner, supported by Prospero Group, she’s become one of the island’s loudest and most committed advocates for women’s football.

From muddy junior matches at Colby AFC to captaining her country, Becky’s journey has always been rooted in teamwork. ‘I don’t feel personally successful. All successes have been shared with my teammates and any progress made has been made together,’ she says. ‘I’ve been incredibly lucky to have such a strong support system, and their belief in me has been invaluable.’

Becky grew up in the local game, starting at Colby before moving to Peel AFC for her senior years. She joined the Centre of Excellence as an under-10 and has stuck with it ever since. As the women’s game began to face more challenges, Becky found herself stepping up off the pitch, as well as on it.

‘With limited opportunities here, it quickly became apparent that the people best placed to shape the future of the game are those actively involved in it.’

That future has not always been straightforward. In 2019, Becky tore her MCL during a game, leaving her sidelined for more than a year. As someone who describes football as both an outlet and a lifeline, the injury was more than just physical.

‘Not being able to play the sport I love was incredibly hard. But with strict rehab, plenty of tears and many matches spent helping from the sidelines with a pair of crutches, I made it back. Since then, I’ve never taken being able to play for granted.’

While the injury was a personal setback, the structural barriers facing the women’s game remain just as frustrating. Becky is open about how difficult it can be to push for progress in a system not built with the Isle of Man in mind.

‘The IOM FA must follow the same guidelines as the English FA, but when you compare the size of the UK to the Isle of Man, the challenges just are not the same. That is where we struggle most to grow the game. The red tape often shuts down ideas before they even get going.’

Despite the obstacles, Becky has continued to lead as captain of both the Isle of Man and Peel Women’s teams. She’s proud of how well the island’s women have competed on the international stage, especially at the Island Games, where the team has placed in the top four at nearly every event since 2001.

‘My hope is to keep growing the game while showcasing the incredible talent we have right here on the Isle of Man. With more regular training and competitive fixtures, I believe we could bring even greater success back to the island.’

For Becky, leadership is not just about wearing the armband. It’s about using her voice to speak up, even when it is uncomfortable.

‘It’s not always easy to speak up, especially when what matters isn’t the popular opinion. But change starts with people who are willing to be heard. If it matters to you, it’s worth speaking about.’

She credits her parents as her biggest inspirations, particularly when it comes to work ethic and staying grounded. And she is keen to see more young girls supported as they come into the game, so they do not face the same limitations her generation has had to push through.

‘I’d love to see the rules and structures being revisited to accommodate the island, with a focus on creating better opportunities for young girls and women to stay involved in a sport that has given me so much.’

Football has taken Becky to places she never expected. It has taught her how to lead, how to get back up when she is knocked down, and how to bring people together around a shared goal. It is no surprise that she was named a Gef 30 Under 30 winner in the Leadership category this year.

‘It is incredibly rewarding to be recognised for the hard work and passion that goes into promoting women’s football. Most of us pour countless hours into this without a pay cheque at the end, purely for the love of the game. That is what makes moments like this so special.’

And if there is one piece of advice she would offer to anyone hesitating to try something new?

‘Step out of your comfort zone. I was not sure if I would enjoy football before I kicked my first ball, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I have made. I would not be the person I am today without it.’

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