Tallahassee’s Dyke Soccer League is a student-run dyke soccer community, made for and by queer people, based in Tallahassee. Dyke soccer provides a community for sapphics and other queer people on and off FSU’s campus, while also providing a space for LGBTQ+ students to get active. To get an inside look at the organization, Her Campus at FSU reached out to one of their coaches, Riley de Arcos (he/they).
Her Campus (HC): Tell the readers a little bit about yourself — your name, your role in Dyke Soccer, and how you got involved in the organization.
Riley de Arcos (RA): My name is Riley de Arcos, and I’m one of the founders of Dyke Soccer. About one year ago, in October of 2024, I was talking to my friend Lila Rush about playing pickup soccer with primarily [cisgender] straight men who didn’t perpetuate an inclusive environment. She initially proposed the idea of starting a Dyke Soccer pickup group, and we went from there, creating flyers and posting them around campus. Our first practice went well, and as the weeks went on, the turnout kept improving, which made us excited about meeting new faces and providing a safe space for them.
HC: How long have you been a part of Dyke Soccer?
RA: I’ve been a part of Dyke Soccer since October of last year.
HC: Why did you start Dyke Soccer?
RA: Lila and I started Dyke Soccer to create a space for all dykes to not only play soccer, but be a part of, especially in today’s political climate.
HC: What’s your favorite part about being in Dyke Soccer?
RA: My favorite part about being in Dyke Soccer is seeing the excitement members experience when they score a goal, interact with one another, or simply just be in each other’s presence. We support each other no matter what team we’re on during the scrimmages and rarely keep track of the score. What matters is that we’re all playing with and for each other.
HC: How has your life been affected by being a part of Dyke Soccer? This can be about your personal or academic life, takeaways, anything you’ve learned from being a part of the team, etc.
RA: My life has been affected by Dyke Soccer by not only being able to create a space for others, but for myself as well. After high school, it was hard for me to find an appropriate space to continue my love for the game that aligned with my identity, yet Dyke Soccer has grown into something much more than that outside of the field. It’s created a community where we can all gather together, reaching out to dykes from all around Tallahassee. It’s shown me the importance of finding your community, especially one you can fall back on during difficult times.
HC: Why would you recommend being a part of Dyke Soccer?
RA: I’d recommend being a part of Dyke Soccer because of the many faces you’ll encounter at practice or events outside of practice. It’s been a beautiful experience forming different bonds with different people and seeing how their lives have been impacted by the community we’ve fostered.
HC: How can readers get involved in Dyke Soccer?
RA: All self-identified dykes are welcome to get involved by attending our events or coming to practice, whether you’re interested in playing or not. Many people come to practice to play, watch, or talk to anyone on the sidelines for however long they please. You can follow our Instagram and join our GroupMe in our Instagram bio for more information!
HC: Is there anything else you want to share with readers that hasn’t been mentioned?
RA: We welcome all dykes of all skill levels to practice, so if you’re nervous about attending or stepping on the field, we’re here to help, teach, and guide you through the motions!
If you’re interested in being a part of Dyke Soccer, make sure to follow their Instagram for updates and join their GroupMe to get involved!
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