The FA’s Ambassador programme continues to expand with female footballer, Claire Lewis, joining the ranks along with ex-England international, Viv Anderson.
The 27-year-old might not be a household football name like Anderson but she’s no stranger to FA headquarters having helped front the Get into Football campaign in 2006.
And the Hampstead Ladies defender is looking forward to getting out and about and encouraging youngsters to get involved:
“Football is the fastest growing team sport for girls in this country and has been for sometime but I’m concerned that there’s a big dropout rate when girls leave school or go to university.
“I went to Warwick University and really got involved with team sport. There’s no better feeling than getting out on the pitch and being part of a team and the camaraderie that brings.
“University life doesn’t just have to be about juggling your studies with evenings in the student union. You can put team sport into that mix as well which just adds to the experience of university life and widens your social circle.”
Claire’s football career started in the back garden with her dad before playing for youth teams such as Mill Hill United, Barnet and Arsenal Girls.
And the Spurs season ticket holder was so passionate about the game that, as a 16-year-old, she started her own club at school with a handful of friends.
“I ran the coaching sessions myself and just copied the skills and drills we used in Lacrosse lessons at school.
“After a couple of years we had a full squad of players which was brilliant,” remembers Claire who has travelled across Europe watching England in both World Cup and European Championship action and was even a regular BBC London pundit during Germany 2006.
A knee injury forced her out of the game for 12 months but even that didn’t stop her from making an impact, this time on the sidelines.
“I was asked by a friend to manage a local men’s team, Red Sea FC. I got a bit of stick from the other clubs but we just did our talking on the pitch by getting promoted twice in two years,” remembers Claire whose football knowledge made such an impression with Red Sea that the entire squad voted to keep her on as manager after just one game in charge.
And 2009 is set to be a big year for Claire on the pitch as well having made the Great Britain squad which will compete at the 18th Maccabiah Games for Jewish athletes in Israel.
“It’s the third biggest sporting event after the Olympics and the World Cup and it’s also the first time that GB has sent a Women’s football team there.
“Hopefully we can be a success.”