Did you know that there are around 26 million females playing football around the world? Or that 1.1 million girls play some form of football in England? Women’s football is one of the fastest growing sports in the world.

I’ve been playing football since I was 7 and started off playing with all boys. I’ve always loved the game but didn’t really get involved until I dropped out of ballet. My friend’s brother then suggested that I went to his football training at a local park. Ever since then I have loved playing football and 8 years later I’m still playing. Of course when I first started playing I was pretty nervous (and not very good) but I was determined to keep going and prove to the boys at my training and school that girls could play football.

When I was about 9 a football coach came into my school to give a taster session, of course I was pleased as it gave me a chance to prove that I could play. After that session I started going to the various summer camps that the football coach ran and he then set up a training session for just girls. By the time I was 10 the same football coach that ran the taster session had set up a girl’s football team and we entered a league. The games made my football improve a lot and gave me a lot of experience and understanding of football.

Luckily I have not had a serious injury from playing football, only a few cuts and bruises. But I have shown people who have broken their legs, knocked themselves out and hurt their wrists. Those all sound really scary, and are probably putting you off, however these things are very rare and I’ve only seen most of them happen once.

Football is a very competitive sport and sometimes parents get way to serious about it! There have been many times when I’ve been playing and the parents are shouting at each other. However all the girls have just been standing on the pitch looking very embarrassed and wanting to get on with the game and it’s ended in us shouting at the parents to be quiet. There was also a time when I accidentally took out one of my friends and the opposite team. I couldn’t stop apologising but it turned out I was more hurt than her!

There are many benefits from playing football such as it keeps you fit; you have to run after the ball and the opponents. It’s also a lot of fun as you get to meet new people, play a bit of football and most of the time have a laugh with your team mates.

Obviously I think football is the best sport and I have been very lucky as I started at such a young age, but if you’ve never played football before and you just want to try it or if you have played football in the past and fancy taking it up again there are many ways you can get involved. You can either start playing for the school or go to a club outside of school, such as Barnet Azzuri or Enfield Ladies and I am sure they will welcome you! If you want to know more information about either of the clubs look on their websites or speak to me!

Lillith
Key stage 4 sports prefect

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