I started playing football when I was seven or eight years old. I was in the playground and had to ask the boys if I could join in.
I’ve got a brother who was four years older than me and he was great inspiration. I just wanted to do the things he did, listen to the music he listened to and he’s had a big impact on me.
Girls’ Football Week has been going on for quite a few years now at The FA and I think it’s even more special now that it’s being partnered by Disney. Two great organisations are together and a lot of people watched Disney films growing up too – I still watch Disney films!
A lot of people are passionate about football so to amalgamate the two and to be involved with Girls’ Football Week again is brilliant.
It’s a wonderful opportunity for the young girls. When I was growing up, we didn’t really have many opportunities, but Girls’ Football Week offers a lot of chances to girls who maybe haven’t played football before or even if they have played a bit.
Just to go along and get involved and listen to the stories is great and now the magic of Disney is involved there as well in the practices.
On Monday I attended a football festival at a school in Bedford to mark the start of Girls’ Football Week.
Some of the girls I spoke to on the day really enjoyed it – the first part was Disney-inspired themes and stations and the second part was all about playing games.
There were no referees, they were making the decisions themselves. That’s about respecting the opposition and working as a team – it was brilliant to see. They all had a great day and I’m sure they slept well that night!
Girls should get involved in Girls’ Football Week and football in general because it helps your social skills and how to listen and communicate with team-mates. It keeps you fit and healthy and gives you a lot of self-confidence.
It gives you a lot of skills going forward that you can use in other aspects of life.
You should fully immerse yourself in the practices and enjoy yourself. When you relax and enjoy yourself, you start to have fun and you make memories and meet other people as well.
If you'd like to get involved in football, why not find a club or a session near you?
