'It's a full-circle moment to be back at Brighton'

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Former Albion players Mollie and Rosie Kmita talk about the Powerhouse Project

Heather Miller

2025-03-04T14:15+00:00

Powerhouse Project founders Mollie (left) and Rosie Kmita have returned to Albion ten years after playing for the club. 📷 Paul Hazlewood.

We caught up with Mollie and Rosie Kmita, the twins who are former Albion players and who have partnered with the club to launch the Powerhouse Project.

Mollie, Rosie, how do you feel about this partnership with Brighton?

Mollie said, "When you come back somewhere where you were ten years ago you realise how much you've grown as an individual in that time."

Rosie added, "I felt quite emotional even when we arrived at the training ground [for] this big announcement with the Powerhouse Project. It reminds you of where you've come from, where you've been and where you're going."

Mollie (left) and Rosie Kmita signing for the club in 2013. 📸 Paul Hazlewood

It's ten years since you were Brighton players. Now you're back developing the next generation of female coaches does it feel like a full-circle moment?

RK: "It really does, when we think back. We weren't the people that we are now. We've gone through a lot of learning and we want to help other young women. Brighton has been a huge part of our lives. We made memories here that we'll never forget."

MK: "It definitely feels special and when you've got history with a club you know it's more emotional. We've always said that this is a very forward-thinking club for women's football, and we were proud to be part of the club then and we're really proud to be back now. We hope that we can keep working together and helping to build more and better infrastructure for women in football."

The future is Brighton! 🚀 Welcome on board, @the_phproject! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/1HwtiMAOpY
— Brighton & Hove Albion Women (@BHAFCWomen) March 4, 2025

How does the club compare now to ten years ago?

RK: "When we played we were training at the university at Falmer. The facilities weren't what they are now. The women now have their own facilities which is incredible, and they are outstanding. I was blown away by them and it just goes to show where the club's gone in the last ten years. But Brighton was the club that enabled us to feel like professional players. For us to be back in a club that has done so much for us is a really special moment for us."

MK: "For the women to have the facilities that they have is eye-opening - this club is going places. Ultimately, we're really proud to partner, but also, as ex-players, so proud to represent this club."

What are the ambitions and objectives of the Powerhouse Project?

MK: "The location is key. There's so much hidden talent down here and it's about opening up the doors for these local, female coaches and ensuring that they've got a club on their doorstep. We want them to grow and ultimately help them reach their potential. We know that Brighton has that ambition too.

"To eventually have a hub on the south coast and engage female coaches is important, but it's also to ensure that the club can partner with us in a way where we can bring talent through. Giving the the club more female representation is absolutely key."

Powerhouse Project founders Mollie (left) and Rosie Kmita have returned to Albion ten years after playing for the club. 📷 Paul Hazlewood.

You both are very passionate about this initiative. Where does that passion come from?

MK: "From growing up and finding it hard to navigate our own career paths and not seeing ourselves in any of those career paths that we did take up in the end. The passion comes from an opportunity to try and make a difference and we know that, ultimately, if we had the Powerhouse Project growing up our careers would've excelled a lot sooner than they did.

"It's about giving back and ensuring that the Powerhouse Project can exist for years to come, so more young girls can reach the careers that they want through our work."

RK: "We have also been like those young girls who have imposter syndrome and don't believe in themselves. Behind our big personalities, that's who we've always been. To draw that out and be that support network now for younger women and say, 'We understand what you're going through, but this is your potential' is a big driver for us."