Soccer has been central to my life from an early age. I have very fond memories of kicking a ball around in the garden with my Grandad when I was very young, and this certainly began my love affair with the sport.
At around the age of 10 I joined a local youth team called Cray Wanderers (who are in fact London’s oldest football club!) who gave me my first chance of playing organised 11-a-side football. Playing for the school team was also an exciting time. I went on to captain the team in my senior years and I was lucky enough to be selected for a two-year programme at the age of 16 that was run by Charlton Athletic through the school. At University I continued to play football, and it was here that I truly appreciated the impact that sport can have on physical and mental wellbeing. The team I played for has since given me friends for life, and the memories created with my teammates will stay with me forever. To be selected as captain of the club in my final year was a real privilege.
During this time, I kept a close connection to Bromley Football Club. Bromley FC are a local professional club that I have supported since I was 8 years old when my Dad took me to my first ever live match. During my teenage years staff from the club kindly offered work experience and, upon finishing my University degree, I was hired full-time. The valuable experience gained at Bromley inspired me to look for a new challenge after two years in the role and that’s when I came across an incredible opportunity with the Junior Premier League.
I joined the Junior Premier League in August 2021 as their Social Media and Communications Officer, and I am so excited to play a small part in the expansion to the USA!