🇩🇰 Du finder den danske version af denne artikel her.

A conversation with Rebecca Steele, Head of Women’s Football at F.C. Copenhagen.

This Sunday marks a historic moment in Danish football. For the first time ever, F.C. Copenhagen’s women’s team will play at Parken Stadium – facing Næstved HG at 4:00 PM. With a likely promotion to the 1st Division, the day will be celebrated as a city-wide football fest.

At the time of writing, attendance is expected to be between 20,000 and 28,000 spectators.

We spoke to Rebecca Steele ahead of this landmark event. It will be a particularly emotional match for her as well. She has led the women’s project from day one – but has decided that this season will be her last. In this interview, she shares her thoughts on the upcoming match – and how it feels to “hand over her child, who’s now grown into a full-blown teenager.”

“It hurts a little – but it also feels completely right.”

Rebecca, how does it feel to “send” the women’s team onto the pitch at Parken for the first time?

“First and foremost, it’s a huge milestone for women’s football in Denmark. It’s set to be the biggest club match ever in terms of public interest. I’m deeply moved on behalf of the players, because I can genuinely feel how much this means to them — they’re living out a dream they’ve always had, but maybe never dared to believe in. It’s incredibly meaningful, and they’re absolutely paving the way for the future.

When I told them, they were completely speechless. You can feel the intensity has gone up in training these past weeks — but always with the collective coming first.

Honestly, I didn’t think we’d be here already in year two. It’s all happened really fast.”

What do you hope the audience takes away from the match in Parken?

“First and foremost, it’ll be a historic moment for Copenhagen. The match kicks off at 16:00, but already from 13:00, we’ll open a big canzone celebration together with Andel.

In many ways, it will be a historic event — and you’ll be able to feel it deep under your skin. I hope the atmosphere will be a bit like the Denmark–Brazil match in Parken, where it was about more than just football.

The difference here is that we’re bringing the whole city together.

I also truly believe the crowd will feel what this means to the players. They’ll be standing in the middle of Parken, stepping into the role of role models for so many young girls and boys. That really matters — not just for them, but for the future.”

What has it taken to get to this point in such a short time?

“Everything. There are so many people I could highlight here — on both the sporting and commercial side. But I want to highlight the players. They’re part of a football giant, and with that comes both pride and pressure. They’ve sacrificed a lot mentally and have truly fought hard.”

What are you most proud of when you look back at the past few years?

“There are so many things to be proud of. But one of the clearest for me is watching the players grow into role models. That we’ve helped build something the next generation can look up to.

From the beginning, we’ve put the collective first, set ambitious goals, and made well-being and a strong football environment a top priority.

For young people especially, being part of something safe and inclusive means everything. I’m truly proud that we’ve created that.”

How have you succeeded in integrating the women’s team into the bigger picture — into the overall FCK identity?

“I’m proud that the women’s team has become a natural part of FCK’s identity. The whole club has started to take ownership of it. People want to hear about it, they want to come and watch — it’s now alive throughout the organization. When I first interviewed for the job, that was one of the most important things for me — that the women’s team wouldn’t just be a side project, but part of the whole. And I think we’ve achieved that.”

What have you learned yourself — as a leader, as a person — from this journey?

“To stay true to my personal values. That’s been one of the most important things for me — and something I’ve seen can really make a difference.
When you put the collective first and give more than you take, that’s when you create results. I’ve learned how far you can go in a strong community, and that’s something I’ll carry with me in whatever I do next.”

What does it feel like to stand on the threshold of something big — while also preparing to step away?

“It feels both right and incredibly difficult. It’s like handing over your child who has now become a teenager.

It hurts a little, but it also feels like the right time to pass the baton. I have no doubt this is the right decision, and I will leave Parken with immense pride.

I never imagined we’d be this far already — both on and off the pitch. We have helped create a movement in the city and for women’s football in general.”

What do you dream for FCK Women five years from now?

“We want to win championships and compete in Europe — of course. But it’s also important to preserve and develop the positive culture.

I firmly believe we have built a winning culture. A culture where players thrive, support grows, and the club remains a movement within the city. The course is set — and I look forward to following the journey ahead.”

Culture, business & inspiration — straight from Copenhagen to your inbox. Join over 55,500 subscribers!
We send out updates once a week.