I don’t think mum understands the role she’s played in helping me to get to where I am
FORMER ENGLAND LIONESS AND TV PRESENTER ALEX SCOTT TELLS IMY BRIGHTY-POTTS HOW VITAL
WITH the much-anticipated UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 tournament finals set to kick off in July, Alex Scott is hoping to inspire young women and girls to support the Lionesses, and try the beautiful game for themselves.
The former Arsenal player, Lioness and Team GB player acts as a mentor to many of the current Lionesses, and has always been an ardent spokesperson for the women’s game.
But, the woman who inspired her to pursue her career was not a fellow footballer. It was her mum.
“Everything she had to sacrifice and do in order for me to play football and follow my dreams will never ever be lost on me,” Alex shares.
“I don’t think she understands the role she’s played in helping me get to where I am today.”
And her mother did make a lot of sacrifices, particularly after Alex signed for Arsenal, aged eight. Some parents may worry that letting their child immerse themselves in such a difficult career at a young age may disrupt their childhood, but Alex is grateful her mother let her follow her dreams.
“It gave me a direction. If I didn’t have football, where would I be today? What kind of person would I be? It gave me confidence. It allowed me to express myself in an environment where I felt safe.”
Being surrounded by other sportswomen from an under-represented background also helped Alex realise her full potential.
This inspiration didn’t come purely from the footballing world, two of her biggest role models are tennis greats the Williams sisters – Venus and Serena. “Everything they had to fight to overcome, they did with such grace.
“They never made excuses. It was like, ‘No, we will continue to be us and fight in our own lane’.”
ROLE MODELS WERE TO HER SUCCESS
Little did Alex know when her career began that she would be such an important mentor and role model to the next generation of female footballers, not least, current England captain Leah Williamson – a lifelong Arsenal fan.
Alex admires Leah’s drive and dedication: “If you look at Leah, who has just been announced as England captain, her story and everything that she stands for, I think she’s going to be a huge role model for a lot of people coming through. She’s amazing.”
Alex is also a LEGO ambassador, and as a national sponsor of the Women’s Euros, the brand has launched a new study revealing over three quarters (79%) of young girls look up to women who challenge oldfashioned gender expectations.
With that in mind, Alex has joined with LEGO to visit schools, talking about football, diversity and role models, and has been touched by some of the experiences of the children she’s been meeting.
“This one boy said that when his head goes down, his coach gives him the motivation to keep smiling and keep playing. Oh my goodness – he just pulled that from nowhere! Sometimes, as a role model, you don’t know how impactful that could be to change the direction of someone’s life.”
If parents can show their kids diverse role models, role models from a similar background as them, or people who can inspire them to overcome barriers, Alex believes that can help a child immeasurably.
“It allows you to see something real in someone and connect with their story. If they’ve managed to go on and make something, whether it’s playing at Wembley or getting the job that they wanted, it gives you the belief.
“It’s that added inspiration that, ‘she made it, so can I, no matter my circumstances, or what card I’ve been dealt. I can change that’.”
Such role models have been vital in advancing womens’ football. In 100 years since the FA banned the women’s game in its infancy, leaders have helped to keep the sport alive and, eventually, thrive as a more inclusive space.
Alex says these advances have often been a matter of baby steps: “In 2002, we had hand-me-down football kits from the men’s first team. And it looked like I was like wearing a parachute.
“Even having women with their own customised fitted kits is a step.”
The LEGO Group has launched ‘Play Your Own Way’ lesson plans to encourage children to celebrate the people that inspire them through play, in partnership with UEFA Women’s EURO 2022.
Teachers can sign up to download the resources at WEURO2022Schools.com