My girls see football as a boy sport. They know so many boys who are football crazy: they play football at football clubs in school, games at weekends and knock-arounds in break time. But it never occurs to The Girls to join in. So when we were given the opportunity to meet an actual female football player I jumped at the chance to show them that football is not just for boys.
We drove to local Petts Wood FC to meet Casey Stoney, one half of the team promoting McDonald’s Football Mum of the Year. Not only did we meet Casey- the England and Arsenal Women’s defender who represented Team GB at the London Olympics- but we saw the dozens of Petts Wood teams on the field all around us. There were boys and girls, in their hundreds, all doing their best on the field and queueing patiently off it to meet a football icon.
And my girls got a taste of football too. Casey took to the field with our small troop to show them some ball skills, ideas they could take home with them, and chatted to them about how she started playing football when she was a little girl in her back garden. The power of her message to my girls was profound and has had huge impact on them. And seeing them embrace something new, something they thought was “just for boys” has had an impact on me. It’s my job to help them see that they can achieve anything, even if they have written it off, and to support them from the sidelines as their biggest fan!
The thing about grass roots sport is that it is all down to the mums on the sidelines. They chauffeur their children to practice, stand on the sidelines in all weathers cheering their children on. They wash kits, treat injuries and are always there to encourage their children. There are yet more mothers who step up when coaches are needed, when drivers are needed, when fundraising is needed. They bake cakes and champion clubs. They never tire. And McDonald’s want to honour them.
So if you know a mum who you think deserves to be honoured for their tireless contribution, as Football Mum of the Year, you can nominate them until Friday 19 June 2015.
The winner will be presented with their award by Coleen Rooney at a special ceremony at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 2 August.
Cool! Glad the girls enjoyed it. I’m a cheer mom now but maybe one day I’ll be a “soccer mom” too… I love football! Played it for years as a kid.
What a fantastic idea, I know a few mums who I might nominate. Thanks for featuring this.
Ooh – I LOVE this! So pleased for your girls! My OH was in Bend it Like Beckham which put women’s football on the map a bit (yay!). My kids love footie! What a fab day. Thanks for sharing x