I never really share personal feelings, but here goes…
I was grateful to be invited to an Al Nassr (male) game in #Saudi last year, where the football performance wasn’t the best, and I openly said: “I’m really surprised at the level” (for an Asian Champions League match).
The man next to me replied (without looking away from the pitch): “Yeah, it reminds me of the women’s game. Do you know what I mean?”
My silence prompted his head to swivel.
My facial expression (stare) prompted him to dig a deeper hole, fumbling to explain himself. Eventually, he gave up and said: “I’m being rude & patronising, aren’t I?”
“Yes,” SHE replied. “Very”……..
As many of you know, I have my own business in sports growth consultancy – traveling the world, visiting top clubs, meeting senior football officials. But sometimes when I talk about my own journey in football, I’m often surprised by prehistoric reactions & opinions….
For example, someone recently said, “Growing up, it sounds like you were one of the lucky ones,” (because I GOT to play with the boys, and they LET me).
I made myself very clear – I didn’t feel “lucky.”
I felt like part of the team. Yes, it was all boys. Yes, I was the only girl. But I wasn’t “lucky.” I was included because I wanted to play, and because I was good. They knocked on my door because I belonged. We played together, had fun together, and I was one of them.
My dad taught me to play football and would get up ridiculously early in the morning to drive me to Scotland training in Perth. My brother and I played for hours out in the back garden, and now as a professional soccer coach in the U.S.A, he invites me to take part in his coaching sessions so his players can meet me…
Me. The girl who ‘they’ let play!
And my mum? She would shout at referees if I got a yellow card (even if I was in the wrong). Even my #bbf who isn’t sporty (sorry Vicki) would come and watch me play & join the celebrations when my pro team won the league.
I didn’t feel “lucky” to play football. I felt privileged to have the people I had around me. My dad, my brother Craig, my mum, my supportive friends and of course, the boys who ‘let’ me play (you know who you are).
They all made sure I had every chance, every opportunity to succeed.
Today, my nephews (Calum, Caiden, Owen & Evan) grow up in a world where there are books and YouTube videos of girls playing football. To them, there’s no difference and we talk about football like there’s never been a difference. They want me on their team when we go to the park, they include my niece Kara because she simply wants to play.
My closest supporter encourages me to follow my heart in sports, to enjoy the challenges, embrace the opportunities and to celebrate growth.
But it wasn’t always easy.
I was called names for playing football, for being good at sports. I was told I couldn’t play for the school team; I had to play netball instead. There weren’t many opportunities to compete seriously, let alone have a career in the game. I turned down an international scholarship at 17, because it wasn’t seen as a long-term profitable career by my teachers….plus my mum had already decided I was going to Uni after school :-)
But here I am, in a new world of sport that I love, showing it’s never too late…..
But for some, it will be too late, if we don’t act and change the narrative together….
I respect that in some parts of the world, there are cultural barriers. I have friends across the globe who love to play but aren’t allowed. Some play and must hide. Some can’t even watch the game on TV and experience the sport second-hand, through their brothers or male friends. So, for many girls & women, there’s still a long road ahead, a road that is often out with their control.
What frustrates me is this: why do many people keep looking back? Why do people say things out loud without self-awareness or respect? Why do people keep comparing gender in sport?
We need to focus on where we are right now and where the sport CAN go. We need to stand at the side of the road that some females (and males) are on, and we need to take steps with them and for them, when they can’t move.
I know that if my parents were still here, they’d be on the sidelines, just like they always were for me and my brother, fiercely protective, cheering us on, and reminding us that there’s no limit to what we can achieve when we support each other.
I still play football.
Maybe not like I used to, but I’m still out there, doing my bit….still thinking I’m Laudrup 🙂
It’s time for us ALL to help each other, regardless of gender, ability, or the sport we choose to play. We’re stronger when we lift each other up and move forward together.
So, it doesn’t really matter how much money is invested into modern sports – it’s the behaviour and mindset of those around us that truly matters.
Yes, money can help to promote and position the game (especially the female one), but WE (everyone) must PROTECT our sport. Yes, our sport. Our beautiful game.
And….
It’s free to do that. It’s completely FREE to encourage and empower anyone & everyone who wants to simply play #sport
Don’t worry, I’m finished……I could go on…..or even worse, I could share my opinion on red tees on a golf course!!!
With love, Claire x
