Words by Community member @paige.infull
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’d like to think my life revolves around more than 11 players running around a pitch kicking a football, but when I think it – my life is entirely that. My love for the game has enabled me to use this passion in my day job, providing grants to improve grassroots communities. I also support the running and development of recreational football for adults across the southeastern area aimed at all abilities, from beginner to retired veteran and all those in between. I also coach an u18s girls’ team, referee and support the growth of female football as an Equal Game Ambassador.
As a football enthusiast, can you tell us about your personal connection with the sport.
I was willingly thrown into the football world at a very young age with a Mum who was fanatical about football – she played throughout her youth and followed Liverpool FC around the country in her teens and twenties. When I came along, she soon identified a missing market for an all-girls football team in my small town – so she started one and I’m proud to say it’s now one of the biggest all female clubs in the country.
After hard work and commitment to the game, I was scouted for Liverpool Ladies FC aged 11 and spent my remaining youth career there, learning and developing in the academy set up. Then followed a move closer to home with the pressure of GCSE’s as I signed for Preston North End before a return to my beloved Reds – where unsurprisingly, I was yet another female victim to endure an ACL rupture, coupled with a meniscus tear – just weeks after an England camp invitation.
As a young girl, continuously watching ‘Bend it like Beckham’ – my dream of a move stateside was ignited. Aged 18, I packed my bags and left for the USA to spend the next 4 years in a much more professionally developed environment. The opportunity and experience I’d dreamt of was more than I ever imagined and something that has given me memories I’ll never forget.
I’ve now hung up my match day boots due to injury and am semi-retired, now spending my time either playing recreationally, coaching the next generation of Lionesses, or refereeing in my County.
My experience was a stark contrast, at the time, to the landscape and opportunities available for female players in England. For once I was a footballer first, female second, and was able to experience the same environment as males, to live out my dream of playing football professionally.
After an unbelievable 5 years stateside, my journey brought me back home, with a new passion for life but even more so the opportunity given, to be an athlete who also happened to be female.
What can brands do to support women in sport when it comes to injuries and/or lack of resources? How can they cater more towards women?
I can’t talk about women’s football without mentioning injuries, both through first hand experience (5 knee surgeries) and the seemingly regular instance of another ACL tear in the women’s game. I can name only a handful of teammates with whom I’ve played alongside or against in my adult career who haven’t experienced a serious knee injury. Some of the world’s biggest names in the game have been had to sit out the Women’s World Cup with the same injury.
The game requires research, funding, re-structuring, re-assessment and ultimately a realisation that knee injuries won’t ever vanish from football but can certainly be reduced or prevented with a combination of the above investments, to increase changes for female footballers.
I’d also love to see more from brands to showcase the female athletes they sponsor. We are yet to see a true collaboration or design from any brand with a current star in the games name on it. The Nike Women’s Phantom Luna is the first of its kind built with her in mind – and it’s great, but it’s not enough!
I’ve purchased Beckham’s Predators, I’ve rocked Ronaldo’s Mercurials so why can’t Kerr, Mead, Rodman or Putellas have their own lines we can shop.
How do you view the current landscape of women’s football and have you witnessed or experienced any growth within the industry?
When England played host for the 2005 Womens Euro’s – average crowds were short of 8,000, yet considered record breaking at the time. Already, ticket sales have exceeded 1.71 million for the 2023 tournament, which saw over 75,000 spectators at the co-hosts Australia’s opening game.
Women competing in the WSL weren’t even considered professional athletes until 2018, with many of the national team players still having part time jobs whilst also trying to pursue a career in football. A stark contrast to what we see now with full time professional leagues, ex-players in media roles and now more than ever a dream come reality of being a footballer. The world is finally starting to embrace what has been there all along – a talented line of footballers, who just happen not to be male.
From your own experience what advice can you give to other women looking to enter the football space?
It’s an amazing time to get involved in the game, with so much attention and growth coming – there is a place for everyone. New to the game or returning to the game, playing, watching, talking, coaching, facilitating – everyone is welcome. Social media platforms, watch parties, brand engagements, community driven events, County lead courses – these are all easy ways to get football in your life.
In contrast to the men’s games, adult tickets for female domestic matches are less then £20, with an entire season ticket for one of the best clubs in the country being only £90. You’d be hard pressed to watch a single premier league game live for that price and you won’t be seated in the gods, you’ll be in the thick of it, kicking every ball.
Where have you been watching the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup?
Although the Aussie/NZ time zone hasn’t always been conducive for a good social, it has been incredible to see the gap lessen between the top national teams and the ‘new to the World Cup’ countries reduce significantly than in previous years. We’ve seen some stand out performances from Jamaica, who alongside Colombia, Haiti and even Morocco have all impressed as underdogs – progressing to the last 16 for the first time ever, before bowing out having amassed hundreds of thousands of new fans worldwide.
With the early weekday kick offs (minus England’s first group game and the quarters), I’ve watched the tournament either from my Wembley Stadium office or from home, whilst working. I have however been impressed to see social platforms putting on watch parties in loads of cities across England and Europe bringing together the community that’s grown immensely within the women’s game – especially since the Euros win for England last summer.
Who are you supporting in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup? Why?
I’m of course supporting the Lionesses and am gassed to be watching some of my ex-teammates and opponents continue to shine and grow in the tournament. After a very mediocre start through the group stage and a nervy nail-biter against Nigeria, I’m really anticipating we push on and find our best form and quality in the semi-finals. Colombia down – bring on the Matilda’s!
Is there anyone from the England team you feel like you can relate to?
There’s lots of the girls in the squad whom I relate to, either because of similar journeys which saw us all make the move to America (Alessia Russo & Rachel Daly) or girls like Beth Mead and Leah Williamson who are missing out on the tournament due to injury and having to watch their friends from the stands. I really love Leah Williamson, her on the pitch leadership and ability coupled with her off the pitch style and finesse.
Which top players have you enjoyed watching in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup?
We’ve seen so many standout performances from players we’ve expected to turn up in big tournaments, but I’ve been impressed with the newcomers to the tournament, both in age and experience – players like Linda Caicedo who at 15 beat cancer and at 18 is smashing it in her first world cup. Melchie Haiti has shined within a tough group for Haiti and the usual names like Alexia Putellas, Sam Kerr and Lucy Bronze are always great to admire.
We saw that you recently attended the ‘Nike By You x Hattie Crowther’ workshop at Nike Town for their #LikeALioness initiative. Can you tell us more?
I’m grateful to be part of a new female coaching initiative ‘The Powerhouse Project’ which, simply put is a female coaching community working to grow the opportunities and accessibility of women in coaching positions. We were invited down by Nike to get creative and customise the already incredible Hattie Crowther x Nike corset collection. It was a fun day to chop it up with other young female coaches, fusing creativity, fashion, and football (my top three faves). I love to be in spaces where creativity and sport collides; they’re a replication of each other and special things can happen in those environments.
Finally, what is the future of women’s football, and how does the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup fit into that future?
The best way to describe the future of the women’s game is rapid, but through organic growth. There is a huge buzz around the game with a lot of work going on behind the scenes, in communities and board rooms to make sure there is every opportunity for her to feel safe, encouraged and supported in that football journey. The future looks like how we shape it in all honesty. Can we show up and show out for the professional clubs, but can we also support and encourage the lower tiers of the game – ensuring the gap between divisions and leagues isn’t so far apart and a lot of that requires investment bottom up, making sure facilities and coaching continue for the conveyor belt of talent for the future generations of Lionesses.
Check out more from Paige on Instagram @paige.infull
