Física to Disband Senior Female Team

Física Torres Vedras to Disband Senior Female Squad — RINKIT Athlete & England International Amelia Thomas Among Those Affected

In yet another setback for female rink hockey, the Associação de Educação Física e Desportiva de Torres Vedras (AEFDTV) has confirmed it will disband its senior female team at the end of the current season. The news is especially disheartening for RINKIT, with our athlete Amelia Thomas, who also represents England at senior female level, serving as the team’s goalkeeper.

The decision was delivered to players and staff this week, sending shockwaves through the rink hockey community and drawing emotional reactions on social media. In a heartfelt team statement, the players wrote:

“It’s with deep sadness that we write this… The moment we never wanted to face is here, even if we knew it might come one day.”

The team has called on fans to support them in their final two matches at the Pavilhão da Física:

    •    Thursday 19 June at 15:00

    •    Sunday 22 June at 18:00

“These two games aren’t just games they’re farewells,” the statement continued. “They are tributes to everything we were and still are while we’re together. Let’s fill the stands one last time. This isn’t just the end of a team. It’s the end of our dream.”

Club President António Gonçalves cited internal issues and the need to restructure the modality as the reasons behind the decision:

“We felt it was time to take a step back and pause. In the future, if the conditions are right, the senior female team can return — but all sides need to be aligned.”

While the club has confirmed that female youth development will continue, the removal of a senior team once again underlines the fragility of female participation at the top level.

The Física senior female team currently sits 6th in the National Female South Zone and 2nd in the National Cup. They also reached the Final Four of the national competition, after impressive wins over Vila Boa do Bispo and CENAP, before falling to AD Sanjoanense.

For Amelia Thomas a standout goalkeeper and proud England international this decision brings a tough and unexpected end to a journey built on hard work, unity, and pride. In her first season with the club, Amelia has grown not only as an athlete, but as a leader and role model in the sport.

This is more than just one team folding. It’s a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by senior female athletes across the sport.

It’s not just the end of a team. It’s the loss of opportunity, visibility, and support.

We stand with Amelia and every player affected by this decision.