MANON 2020 by Jenny Simmons

manon

FOUNDER,EDITOR & DESIGNER Jenny Simmons

Writers Stephanie Ankrah Jenny Simmons Felicia Pennant Sade Laja

PHOTOGRAPHERS Felix Cooper Jenny Simmons Martyn Ewoma Axelle Courlander

ILLUSTRATOR Matt Simmons

PRINT Newspaper Club

THANKS Debra Nelson Shona Shukrula Ayesha Brown Phoebe Ankrah Noa Glynn Axelle Courlander Jacqueline Coly Rose Evina Odette Evina Jadine Downes Helena Thornton Morfo Peyiazis Evan Lelliott

COLOPHON

The creation of MANON Magazine has historically been a relatively self-serving endeavour, an excuse to meet women in football and find ways to share their stories, linked, each time, to the major tournament taking place that year. After the excitement of France 2019, 2020 was my ‘rest year’, but I think I can safely say for all of us, it has been anything but restful. I have found myself demotivated, exhilarated, heartbroken and full of love, often in the same breath. To say it has been unsettling is an understatement. After much reflection and many uncomfortable self-realisations later, I felt compelled to create a new issue of MANON. In the absence of a tournament this year, and football as we once knew it, this issue will focus solely on celebrating black women in football. Now, more than ever, I am aware of my blackness. I am aware that I walk the world as a black woman, despite being just as white. I am aware of the ways I’ve spent my life adapting to the world instead of trying to change it. I am aware that I was too busy being a woman in football to realise that I am, in fact, a black woman in football. To all those involved in helping to make this issue a reality, thank you. To all those who are willing to have conversations they never thought they would, thank you. Keep going.

Editor Jenny Simmons

E D I T O R ’S L E T T E R

HAIKU 36-37

W H Y I S U S w o m e n ’s S O C C E R SO WHITE? 38-39

s p i t f i r e, d r e a m h i g h e r 5-13

who do you love? 14-17

haiku 18-19

CREATIVE SPACE INVADER 40-43

I T ’S P R O N O U N C E D A X - E L L E 44-47

t h e r e f e r e e ’s a . . . w o m a n 20-21

letters for women 22-25

BE MORE DEBRA 48-53

the bijlmermeer

HAIKU

26-35

54-55

contents

Baba God I thank you Because when I think of where I came from

Work hard Don’t stop Push harder

No shoes No shirt No cash And no income

Now looking in the mirror I see To my surprise

The friends I started with They gave it up And I lost some Poor home I took my destiny and it was awesome I gave it all up for this football Enemies prayed for my downfall No be joke No be seesaw I went through the pain But I used it People saw me like a broomstick But I used it Let me give you a few tips Believe Don’t be deceived The knot is strong The strings are tight The grip is fierce Disguised in every tear

A completely different person Staring me in the eye The carefree little girl I saw at four and five Is now being a teen Just trying to survive I’ve been through 1,000 tribulations I did all my calculations I never broke my determination Oh, God, I nearly saw my dream pass by Enemies were ready to give me a high-five But I swear to God I’m so blessed I do my things with no stress Okay Let’s see who goes first Feeling the heat I started to bubble Watching others I knew I was in trouble

I wish to overcome This emptiness and fear

As you can see For me It’s like a fight

New guys Don’t slack Spit fire

I try this and I try that I try with all my might

Street life No lie Dream higher Midnight Keep working Don’t tire

Now I’m a warrior Nobody can stand me, oh If you want You can ask Marion If you want to know How I know what I know

S P I T F I R E, D R E A M H I G H E R

The poem on the previous page was recited rhythmically during the opening scene of ‘Spit Fire, Dream Higher’, a documentary created in collaboration with Nike and Gurls Talk that demonstrates the value of football as a force of empowerment for young women. Protagonists from across the globe appear in the film, including Rose and Odette Evina, Paris-born, second generation Cameroonian sisters, who live for their love of football and music. We caught up with them after the dust of France 2019 had settled in the capital. Tell us about last summer and the World Cup in France. How did it impact you and your perception of football? Did you go to any games? R: I was a bit disappointed because I actually had to stop playing football last summer, but I still watched the games on TV. It was incredible to think that this was all happening around us. Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to get to the stadium during the tournament, but I enjoyed it all the same. O: Honestly, I have always had the feeling that women’s football was neglected by the media, but step by step, you can see that the women’s game, and the coverage around it, is improving. France 2019 was proof of that. I didn’t go to any fixtures in the summer, but I’ve been to several women’s games with my family. There is an amazing energy that you just don’t feel through your television. Did any teams or specific players in France 2019 inspire you? R: I loved all of the Olympique Lyonnais players and watched them keenly throughout the tournament. Amel Majri’s skills are incredible - she’s a joy to watch. O: I have been following Olympique Lyonnais since I was young. My favourite player for many years has been Wendie Renard; the way she reads the game, her mentality on the pitch, her leadership of other players and her height - I can definitely identify with her.

S P I T F I R E, D R E A M H I G H E R

Football runs in the blood of your family and your passion for the game is clear – did you miss playing this year when lockdowns were implemented? In what ways did you try to stay connected to the game? R: Football really is running through my veins, everyone in the family loves it so much. During the lockdown, I wanted to get back to playing and that’s still the case. I spent so much time at home, with my ball, playing in the corridor with my sister. It was all we could really do, so we made the best out of it. O: Football is everything to our family. The fact that we had to stop playing actually made me very sad. During the lockdown, I caught myself thinking about all the little things that I miss about the game: getting my kit together, traveling to and from training, having fun with the other players. It really gave me time to reflect and fueled my hunger to play again. Do you remember your earliest football memory with your family? R: I remember when my dad, brother, sister and I went to a game at the stadium - that’s where my obsession really started. O: One of my first and best memories was my family coming to support me when I was playing for PSG. It was a really proud moment for them and for me. It touched me very deeply and I still think about it to this day. How’s everything developing with your music? Which artists inspire you? R: The music is going really well. It’s a passion on a par with football. We’re still recording in the studio and even shooting videos for our songs now, too. I take inspiration from so many artists - Naza, Keblack, Tiakola, MHD, Kalash Criminel, Aya Nakamura and Dadju. I truly love what they do. O: On the music side, we are moving forward step by step. We have lots of projects in our heads and are working closely with our management team to bring them to life. We are working twice as hard in order to improve. Stay tuned!

S P I T F I R E, D R E A M H I G H E R

I’m inspired by many artists, in particular Naza because of his lyrics, melody and his versatility - he can sing to suit so many styles of music and is always pushing the boundaries in whatever he’s choosing to pursue. I’ve been listening to him for a long time now and believe that he’s the best afro artist. You mentioned that one day you might have to choose between football and music…has that day come yet? R: No, the choice is too hard to make! If I go back to football, I will join a club and really focus. And if music works out, I will focus on that. Let’s see what the future holds for us. It’s been a very complicated year with COVID-19. Our shows have been cancelled, but we won’t give up. We have songs on our cell phones, ready to release - we just have to be patient. On the football side, I haven’t returned to a club yet. I’m waiting for the right moment. What has brought you the most joy this year? R: This year I found a lot of joy in music. We’re progressing steadily and learning lots about ourselves along the way. Sometimes people recognize us in the street in Paris and in the suburbs. This is what I’ve always dreamed of and it’s becoming a reality, little by little. Our audience is getting bigger, too. The best is yet to come. O: I’ve found joy in the health and safety of my friends and family. They are the most important things to me. I already knew that, but it’s all been highlighted with the backdrop of this unique year. Every day is a type of battle. We need to keep winning.

Words: Jenny Simmons Images: Felix Cooper Spit Fire, Dream Higher is available to watch on YouTube

S P I T F I R E, D R E A M H I G H E R

Felicia Pennant, Founder and Editor-In-Chief of SEASON Zine tells us why José Mourinho, the best Jekyll and Hyde manager in the world, made her fall in love with football. Watching my football bae José Mourinho transform Tottenham irks me deeply. That breathless 6-1 mauling of Manchester United at Old Trafford in October didn’t happen under still-revered former head coach, Mauricio Pochettino, who won nothing in five years. Haters always hate and jealously rip into Mourinho harder than anyone else about so-called “negative“ tactics and “parking the bus”. How original. It’s been obvious to me since 2004 that he, the charismatic master tactician that he is, works to get the best out of his players (mere pawns) in order to win at all costs. Hence the trophies – 25 and counting – and the sackings when things go wrong and certain players become snakes. I’ve spent some of the best moments of my life celebrating the silverware he won for my club, Chelsea: The FA Cup, three League Cups, Community Shields and three wonderful Premier League titles that he reminds us all about at every opportunity (most hilariously in the Paddy Power ads). If the football looks beautiful, even better, but that’s not always the priority and I’ve made my peace with that. Chelsea are top dogs in London because of him and I am extremely proud of that.

I can vaguely recall studying The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson for GCSE English and it best expresses why he’s captured my imagination. When Mourinho is in Dr Jekyll mode, at his best on and off the pitch, he’s the most captivating coach ever. He actually said straight faced “I think I am a special one” during his first Chelsea press conference. Aged 12, I thought: who is this handsome, cocky, witty, well-dressed winner? Sorry AVB, Conte and even the super chic Carlo Ancelotti (my second favourite former Chelsea manager), but silver fox Mourinho in his navy and grey slim separates pips all of you to the post. It’s not just me – I have the sneaking suspicion that my mum and the girls in my boarding house were slightly happier with me forcing them to watch Chelsea on terrestrial TV with Mourinho on the touchline, rather than Avram Grant. One of my oldest school friends stole an A2-size poster of the Portugeuse manager’s TimeOut magazine cover (you can still buy the issue online) and we admired it together every time I went round to her flat.

who do you love?

Mourinho’s endless stream of LOL soundbites also set him apart. English football is more boring without him because he’s real and devilishly honest. Him calling Arsene Wenger a ‘specialist in failure’ cracks me up to this day when I think of how Didier Drogba used to haunt Arsenal. Mourinho’s close relationship with the prolific Ivorian and the other black players he championed like Michael Essein, John Obi Mikel and Willian set a precedent at Chelsea, which is another important factor to me. Especially as black people always ask me why I support the Blues rather than Arsenal, given their fans are less diverse and have been more openly racist in the past. I attribute our historic Champions League win to Mourinho too, even though he left years before, because he set everything in motion – the ruthless winning mentality and confidence playing in the competition because the Portuguse arrived at Stamford Bridge having just won it with Porto. His influence is still at Chelsea with protégée Frank Lampard now head coach, Petr Čech there as well, and highlights of his triumphs lining the walls. But when he’s angry or frustrated, Mourinho’s the worst. His moaning, Mr Hyde-type alter ego comes out and he shaves his head ready for war. I cried both times he left Chelsea and I never ever cry. The second time was more excruciating as Mourinho dug out players and made the hole he was in bigger every passing week. In November 2015, just before he got sacked, I went to Stamford Bridge twice and sang his name throughout both matches. I needed to show my support and gratitude in person before the inevitable happened. But sometimes Mourinho goes so far that even I can’t justify it. The sorry episode with Chelsea team doctor, Eva Carneiro and his refusal to apologise in 2015 is one, gouging Barcelona assistant coach, Tito Vilanova’s eye in 2011 is another. In moments of madness, he’s definitely wrong and strong and there’s something twisted yet admirable in that.

who do you love?

I tuned into the All or Nothing: Tottenham Hotspur documentary purely because of bae and it really showcases his Jekyll and Hyde brilliance. Those snarky one-liners delivered with a smile, the way he handled Dele Ali and Danny Rose with a little shade and openly ribbed himself, the fascinating fly-on-the-wall footage from his private office. This Amazon series plus Netflix's The Playbook: José Mourinho's Coaching Rules and his curiously increased Instagram presence makes me wonder: is this what he was like at Chelsea? The thought is both lovely and terrifying. If so, then Mourinho is using the same tactics, with the benefit of 20-20 hindsight vision and years of managerial experience in different countries, to win trophies for one of our fiercest rivals. “For 90 minutes you cannot be nice, you have to be a bunch of c*nts, intelligent c*nts not stupid c*nts, bastards in the sense you are going to win matches!” he roared passionately in the dressing room. Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min certainly seem to have taken this message to heart with plenty of swagger, just like John Terry, David Luiz and others did before them. Right now, Mourinho’s more Dr Jekyll than Mr Hyde so it will be interesting to see what triggers his evil alter-ego next.

Words: Felicia Pennant Images: Nike @feliciapennant

who do you love?

Down Under Not out

Reggae Girlz make history

The first of many

haiku

youtube.com/watch?v=TbF8vVdXZYI

haiku

Shona Shukrula doesn’t do things by halves. Still shy of her 30th birthday, she’s laying down laws and making waves in the world of refereeing. You’re both a public prosecutor and a referee – what a combination! What similarities can you draw from stepping into a courtroom and onto a football pitch? I see a lot of similarities - I have the law in court and the laws of the game. Some situations are the same: in that case, there should be consistency in punishments, but many situations, of course, present a grey area. It's about looking at all the circumstances and making the right decision. Making mistakes is not a good thing in either area! You started out playing football at AFC ’34 in Alkmaar, North Holland. Can you pinpoint the moment you fell in love with the game? My brothers always played football and my dad was their coach. I loved watching their games and when I turned 16 I started to play, too - of course with my father as coach. I loved the feeling so much, I guess that's the moment I fell in love. And how did you get into refereeing? I volunteered as a referee at my club, working with the younger children and really enjoyed it from day one. Subsequently, my club offered to put me on a course, so I started to learn and develop. After just a year I joined the Dutch Federation as one of their referees. A year ago you were the first woman to lead a match in the second division and more recently you became the first female fourth official in professional football. Firstly, congratulations(!) and secondly, do accolades like this come with pressure? Yes, of course, I feel a lot of pressure. People are watching me closely and eagerly, which comes with the territory of being first. For everybody, debuts are important, they’re a chance to show people that you’re good enough for the level. When you are the first woman it's extra important because somehow it feels as though you’re representing the entire gender.

The pressure is present for every match, all I can do is my best - that’s what I continue to tell myself. At the moment there are only 45 female referees, compared to 4,100 male referees in the Dutch Federation. What are your hopes for the future for female referees? I hope that we see an increased appetite for girls and women to become referees. The likes of Franca Overtoom (assistant referee at the Dutch Federation) and I can show them that it’s not only possible, but it’s fun, too! You train five times a week in order to maintain your fitness levels for the game (I’ve seen the grueling videos on Instagram!) and that’s alongside your full-time work at the Public Prosecution Service. What keeps you motivated and what’s the soundtrack to your workouts? Thankfully, I really enjoy my work outs - some more than others! I enjoy working with my personal trainer in Rotterdam and running with my dog. Field training...not so much. I know it's important though, so I make sure to dedicate my time to it . Music is really important to me. If my airpods or iPhone battery is empty I just don't work-out! I have to bring a power bank just in case. I listen to a lot of dutch rap artists like Broederliefde, Kevin, Lijpe and Boef. I’ve seen footage of you in action on pitch and I’d say you’ve struck the balance of being firm but fair. What tips might you give someone who’s considering becoming a referee? What are the biggest challenges they could expect to face? It’s important to know that you're not a referee to make friends. I'm very social and of course you want everybody to like you, but you have to be willing to make unpopular decisions if the time calls for it. When I was younger I found that more difficult, but now I understand the importance of being strict and fair - that’s what makes you good at maintaining control of the game.

t h e r e f e r e e ’s a . . . w o m a n

You said in a recent interview that you’ve learned to live from match to match, goal to goal – never is that truer than in 2020. What have you learnt most about yourself in this, the strangest of years? I learned that football is a big part of my happiness. Being on the field, developing and growing as a professional is really important to me. Without football, I don't feel like myself. You made a quarantine pact with two of your friends back in March – how did that go? I’m part of a group of 10 girls and we’ve all be friends since we were 12 years old. Many of them have boyfriends and some of them children now, too. In March I was with two who were single at the time. We made a pact that we wouldn't see other people besides the three of us. We’d get together for dinner three times a week and did plenty of FaceTime calls. I made it through that first lockdown because of them. We still see eachother every week, but during those couple of months we were very important to one other. You exude a clear sense of enthusiasm around your role in the game and it’s inspiring to see, what has brought you the most joy this year? I think my debut was one of the best days of my life and definitely the best of my career. Being on the pitch with my family in the stadium and my friends watching the game at home gave me the best feeling ever. Even in answering this question right now it’s made me realise just how blessed I am with everyone around me and all the good things that have happened throughout my life.

Words: Jenny Simmons @shonashukrula

t h e r e f e r e e ’s a . . . w o m a n

Stephanie Anrkah: daughter of Pheobe and David, sister of Wesley, wife of Michael, mother of Luca and Noa, and in her own right, avid Arsenal fan and all-round wonder-woman, writes letters to important women in her life.

Words: Stephanie Ankrah Images: Jenny Simmons

LETTERS TO WOMEN

TO PHEOBE The most joyful woman I know and love, Thank you for building our lives with sport at the foundation. Whether watching, playing or dancing in the kitchen, sport has always been a part of who we are. Noa and I have certainly inherited your zest for sport and life. Not many people are lucky enough to witness the depth to which you love sport, what a huge Formula 1 fan you are, or that you were a mega shot putt thrower (thanks for the big shoulders I inherited too!). However, it is your undying love for Arsenal I will be forever thankful for. A love that was passed on to you by a cousin (and the fact that you loved the colour red), which only grew stronger when Arsenal’s support for African players became a statement in the game. This grew your emotional investment even more, which is second to none. I love the way you screech at the top of your lungs when we score (or come close!). I love it when you can’t watch the big games or penalties because it’s all just too much. I love the pure. unadulterated joy that pours out of you when we hit a milestone or win, no matter how big or small. I love that when I met Michael, your first question about him was “Which team does he support?” and when I said Nottingham Forest you proceeded to tell me that they gave Arsenal their first kit, which is why we wear red and white. I mean...whose mum knows that kind of stuff? For that reason alone, I’m sure it’s why you gave him your seal of approval. I love that I’ve been able to go to so many games with you, games that brought moments I will treasure forever. I remember being at a game and we scored. We were at the back of the stadium, on the very end of the row, and you ran down the steps, did a little African dance for all to see, and then bounced back up the steps like you were a champion triple jumper. I was embarrassed for all of one second before just jumping for joy by your side in elation. I love that I was able to take you to the last game at Highbury and the first game at The Emirates. I love that your grandchildren are following in your footsteps and have fallen in love with Arsenal, too. Like you, they give all of their emotion to the club and the game. I love the way you and Luca battle with Arsenal facts – you teach him something new every time you see him. I love the way Noa screams exactly as you do when we score. Above all, I love that you showed me that pouring your heart and soul into something can bring you so much joy, and the times of despair just make the highs even sweeter. I love you, my pure, bright and radiant mother. Stephanie

LETTERS TO WOMEN

TO my younger self Stephanie, introverted by nature, sport is the one place where you are not. Funny that. Also funny that you gravitated to team sports. Maybe it isn’t so strange given that team sports give you a deep and close circle of friends by default. Something that gives you a lot of energy. A committed leader on the pitch, court or whatever the sport, your teammates follow you and feel supported by you. You don’t seek out special attention and you don’t even realise you have it, except in fleeting moments where you get voted captain, score a wonder goal that saves the game, or manage to pick up the morale of the team just when we need it most. Maybe recognise those moments more... they would give you confidence. While you picked up your skills and passion for sport from both parents, it was dad’s abilities you were particularly in awe of. He left Ghana a gifted footballer for a better life. Who knows where those skills would have got him in today’s game or under different circumstances? Make sure you cherish those games of you and him versus Wesley and all his friends. You felt like you could take on the world - bottle that feeling. Back then, even though football was probably your sport of choice, you didn’t take it seriously because you never saw it on TV and no girls around you were playing it. How things have changed for your own children, especially your daughter (yes you will have a daughter, feistier than you could imagine!). Every Saturday in the future you will see young women heading off to play with the game they love, and the growing number of girls following them. The stereotypes around girls in sport, especially football, will eventually start to break down, and you will play a small role in that. You don’t have to be the loudest to have the biggest impact. There are many ways to get the desired results. That feeling of being able to take on the world will come in handy, especially in the Women’s World Cup in 2019. (Yes, there is a Women’s World Cup and it’s not surprising you haven’t heard of it). You’ll see the women’s game growing to unprecedented levels, and even though there may be set backs (the pandemic in 2020, will be a whole new level of experience), we’ll bounce back harder and faster than ever before. Euro 2022, will be just like World Cup 2019, but bigger, better and in the home of football. Where it will no longer be headline news when women’s names on shirts outsell men’s, where it is not a novelty to see stadiums at full capacity, and England Women’s will finally win something big. Whilst every conversation and every battle is unfair, you must keep believing the day will come that we no longer have to fight and it is the norm to watch men’s and women’s football. The fight to get there will somehow make the success feel so much greater. We can’t change the past, but we can use it to build a better future. Then once we are done pushing, imagine what is possible with all that extra energy we’ll suddenly have. The energy to keep pushing in and beyond sport, now that’s an exciting prospect - to build a world where maybe your daughter’s daughter will speak of these times as folklore. Keep up the energy. Stephanie

LETTERS TO WOMEN

TO noa Also known as Jekyll & Hyde, and the most vivacious, determined, fun-loving little girl I know. Maybe the nickname my mum coined for you indicates a dark side to your personality, which couldn’t be further from the truth. That said, metaphorically there are definitely two equally important sides to you. Despite not being a Gemini (like your Nan) you definitely exhibit Gemini qualities (again, thanks for this Nan!). Face of an angel, rage of a bull couldn’t be truer. However, I know this will set you up for success in life. Being able to show and share your emotions, as well as being your true self is something I’m only just finding the confidence to do. I can see you have this already at such a young age and I, for one, will continue to nurture and encourage you to do so. You know your mind, and never deviate from what you believe in and stand for. You literally take no s**t from anyone and there is no doubt in my mind you will achieve whatever you want in life. You’ve been on the sidelines watching your brother Luca play football since before you were born. There was never any question, you would fall head over heels for the game. As soon as you were able to, you were kicking a ball with him and haven’t stopped since. Now you go to football every weekend. I see you taking it all in and then execute with precision everything you are taught. “Noa see, Noa do” Michael and I often say about you. I hope that sport gives you the discipline, focus and passion it has given the rest of us. We are committed to giving you as many chances as we can to fall in love with sport and safe to say, it hasn’t been difficult. Whether it be football, gym, swimming, dancing or running, it is clear you are incredibly physically aware and already push yourself to get better all the time. I see the joy and sense of achievement on your face and in your eyes every time you do something new. You light up and you genuinely thrive in these moments, constantly seeking more of them. I love that you now have so many faces to look up to in sport and so many you can identify with. I love that and you (and Luca) know them by name, especially the ones in football. That honestly wouldn’t have been the case even as recently as five years ago. I know that you are exposed more than most because of my job and passions, for that I am thankful. I know the work we do is helpful to make the same for other girls like you. I love that you love Shanice van de Sanden as much as Aubameyang. Alex Scott was one of the first players you saw up close at the Women’s FA Cup Final in 2016 against Chelsea. You got to high-five her as she carried the trophy down the steps at Wembley. You were just over one year old. A picture you can brag about to your friends when you are older. Or maybe even dig out when Alex interviews you on your first England Cap! Whatever you decide to do in life, I know with sport at the foundation it will give you a sense of purpose and determination that nothing else can. Just know, wherever you go, I am your biggest life-long supporter through every high and low, twist and turn, win or loss. Just like Maria Petri in the stands at Arsenal, I’ll be shouting for you with all my power. Your name means “motion/movement” in Hebrew and “ love/affection” in Japanese. Two things that I know you will live up to. You will move the world forward with love. It’s a small three letter name, that packs big punch. It suits you well, my love. Stephanie

LETTERS TO WOMEN

the bijlmermeer

The Bijlmermeer, or simply Bijlmer, as it’s more commonly known, is a neighbourhood in the South East of Amsterdam. Housing almost 50,000 people of over 150 nationalities, it’s home to the majority of the Dutch capital’s black community. This visual essay depicts the footballing facilities in the area. Words & Images: Jenny Simmons

the bijlmermeer

sTand up and speak out

but will they ever listen?

truth will set you free

HAIKU

youtube.com/watch?v=ZpdC222n-wI HAIKU

The lack of diversity in US Women’s soccer has long been a topic of discussion, but in a year that has brought the ugliest of truths about race and equality in America to the fore, just why are there so few black women in US soccer? It can’t even be considered the elephant in the room anymore. It’s widely acknowledged that US women’s soccer is a club for cute white girls next door (and this is coming from the girlfriend of the captain of the national team!) With around a dozen or so black female players of colour representing the US Women’s National Team (USWNT) at the highest level since 1991, the lack of diversity was never more evident than when the squad lifted the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France. There were less than a handful of players of colour making up the team. Perhaps Crystal Dunn, defender for the USWNT and part of the 2019 World Cup winning squad, said it best. “As a black woman I always felt growing up I had to do above and beyond to be noticed, to feel like I could hang with everybody else,” she said in an interview last year. For Dunn, somewhat of a veteran after receiving her first call-up to the national team in 2013, this included implementing different aspects to her game so she wasn’t just known for her speed, in order to break the stereotype that black players are just “really fast”. Coming from a player who has reached the pinnacle of football success, it’s both a sobering and depressing admission, and proof that the beautiful game still has a long way to go before it’s a truly welcoming place for all. And perhaps no one is likely to know more about the challenges black players can face than former USNWT goalkeeper Brianna Scurry - part of the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup winning team. She was the only African American player on the squad for close to a decade and has paved the way for young black players since.

She has previously said that she felt black players were assessed differently to their white counterparts. “It just seems to me that the African American player wasn’t afforded the longest learning curve compared to other players that I felt got more of an opportunity than maybe they should have got,” she said of her time on the team. She highlighted the treatment of her teammate during this period, Tina Ellertson, as an example of a player who was not given enough of a chance to grow and develop. “If they had allowed Tina to stay on the team and kept her in the national team environment, which is so ripe for a player’s growth, her athletic ability would’ve had her become one of the better defenders in the world,” she said in an interview. Barriers to entry In numbers, black players make up just 30% (7 players) of the USWNT, with the remaining 70% comprising white players, according to recent research from the the anti-racist network Farenet, which aims to fight racial discrimination on the pitch. In its recent study, ‘The Representation of Black and Latinx Communities and Women In US Soccer’, the organisation says that “both formal and informal barriers to participation begin at the earliest stages of player development”. “Perhaps most glaring is that the data shows that Black and Latinx players encounter very few opportunities to move into administration and coaching,” it adds. This lack of representation in US soccer at all levels is a problem across the board, for both men and women of colour. Access and income are often the main barriers to entry. This includes a lack of presence of youth development academies in typically African American communities, alongside the game being expensive to play. Interestingly, this is at great odds with how the game is perceived and structured in other parts of the world.

WHY IS US w omen’s SOCCER SO WHITE ?

Farenet’s research highlights this point explicitly, citing the ‘pay to play’ structure as restrictive to access within grassroots football to those from low income families. This includes a travel schedule and buying equipment - all of which can run into the thousands of dollars - making the game a white middle class sport. The research also found that the experiences of black people and women in the sport are ignored, and “little or no attempt at inclusion” is evident. “Negative stereotyping of Black and Latinx people and women characterises them as having insufficient skills, no relevant experience, and labels them as ‘risky’ appointments,” it adds, highlighting another factor in the exclusion of minorities. This exclusion unsurprisingly leads to a lack of representation higher up the ranks, at the coaching and executive levels of the sport. From 2015 to 2020, for example, the USWNT has had no head coach of black or Latinx ethnicity, and only one woman holding the position. The numbers are similarly low at the US Soccer Federation, the country’s governing body for the sport, with only one black executive (20%), while the remaining four are white (80%). Staggeringly, there isn’t one black board member, while 13 are white (86.7%). Making a difference & looking ahead However, despite the fact that there are clearly still many barriers to overcome, there are organisations and clubs in the US trying to chip away at the inequality which pervades. Tudela FC LA, a nonprofit all girls’ soccer club in Los Angeles, is one of those organisations. It was started in an effort to help girls get the same access as boys to facilities, regardless of their socio-economic situation.

“If we can’t break the pay to play model of youth soccer, we’re determined to bend it into something better. We are diverse, we are inclusive. We look like Los Angeles.” And in the wake of the death of George Floyd in May and the re-emergence of the Black Lives Matter movement that quickly followed, high profile athletes have been emboldened and are slowly starting to find their voice to speak out against the inequalities far and wide - inspiring a younger generation. Brianna Pinto, midfielder for the USWNT, said in conversation with Crystal Dunn earlier this year, that pre this year’s BLM protests she found it difficult to speak publicly because she felt the weight of representing millions of young black girls across America and was “always afraid of saying the wrong thing”. “But we need people to speak out and be brave and advocate for those who aren’t heard,” she told her teammate. “And finding my voice over the last couple months or so has been great for me because I feel so much weight off my shoulders of internalised problems that I see in the media and that I see in my community. I just want to be better about taking my step to do my part.” With a young generation of fresh black talent, who are not afraid to use their voice, coming through in US soccer, perhaps there is room for some optimism at least. Regardless of the long road that may lay ahead to truly level the playing field, one thing that’s for certain, is that 2020 is a year that no one will ever forget and it’s also the year that black athletes were able to tell their own unique stories and have their voices be heard.

Words: Sade Laja “Though there is nothing unique about an all-girls’ soccer club, we think that the level of our training is unrivalled in the Los Angeles area, as is our commitment to working with any girl, regardless of her family’s socio-economic situation,” says the club in its online mission statement.

WHY IS US w omen’s SOCCER SO WHITE ?

“My mum was a librarian”, graphic designer and illustrator Ayesha Brown tells me when I ask about where her passion for creativity stemmed from. “I’d always thought I’d find a career in literature, but as I grew I realised how drawn I was to imagery and the visual communication elements of books - everything developed from there”. While citing Keith Haring as a major inspiration in her work, so too are the patterns, shapes and colours typically seen in Barbados and Jamaica, the birthplaces of her mother and father respectively. “Location and surroundings are an important part of the creative process for me. I find being in the presence of juxtapositions, as well as meeting and conversing with others to be beneficial when working towards output. Scrolling and browsing online can only get me so far - another reason why the lack of interaction and inability to travel this year have been particularly challenging.” Ayesha’s work was first brought to my attention due to her involvement in a collaborative project with London-based team Sirens FC, whose motto is ‘Crushing goals and stereotypes since 2019.’ A one-of-one Arsenal shirt was customised to celebrate influential black educators as part of an auction to raise money for The Black Curriculum, a charity that addresses the lack of Black British history in the UK Curriculum. “Martyn (the photographer) and I went to university together and have known each other for five years or so. When he told me what he was planning, I loved the concept and wanted to help him bring it to life. We debated over how many educators to feature and eventually landed on seven. It was a tight turnaround, so I got to work quickly on the sketches before digitizing them and running them off on the vinyl cutter. I even had to beg to use the heat press from my old workplace!”

The photoshoot itself took place in Peckham, South London and attracted much attention as Ayesha and the rest of the creatives involved spent the afternoon not only creating the content, but telling the story of the jersey to intrigued passers-by. “While most people’s attention is focused on the back of the shirt, the trickiest part was actually the names on the front - the copy was so small, so getting that right was tough.” When asked which black educator had inspired her the most, there was no hesitation in the response: “I met Akala at Black Students’ Conference when I was 17 and I can quite confidently say that he’s one of the most inspirational people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. I honestly think meeting him made me feel like what I wanted to do was actually achievable.” Complimenting not only his eloquence, but the accessible way in which he has approached education is something that Ayesha is keen to emulate. “It made me more conscious in terms of ensuring that what I do feels accessible to the next generation of young creatives.” For many black professionals in today’s working environments, it’s been a particularly trying year. Depending on how you view it, there’s an expectation, desire, responsibility or perhaps obligation to pave the way for those who will enter these spaces after you. “My advice to young black creatives would be ‘Always aspire to be better than yourself’. We often set limits on ourselves without realising our own true potential. We’re expecting others to see it for us and bring it out of us. Don’t wait for that. I’ve had my confidence negatively impacted due to being surrounded by people who didn’t appear to believe in my talent. While working in the creative field isn't an easy thing to do, it’s certainly achievable - maintaining that belief is imperative. Rid yourself of the idea that there’s a cookie cutter path into creative roles, there are so many avenues, but you have to be open and willing to explore them. If you see an opportunity, go for it. If you don’t see one, make one for yourself. There’s also lots of negativity around social media, but put to the right use, it’s amazing what it can unlock.”

CREATIVE SPACE INVADER

Ayesha’s passion for art and creativity is in many respects matched by her love of sports, and while she was unsure for a time whether she’d pursue a career in one or the other, she seems to have struck the perfect balance in her current role as Maker Lab Expert at Adidas. “Growing up with a Jamaican dad meant that athletics, cricket and football were always front of mind. Football was what I enjoyed most and I was raised in Leicester kicking around with all the boys. While my dad supports Arsenal, I opted for my local club. That being said, Thierry Henry is still my favourite player of all-time, but Leicester City definitely has my heart.” What ensued was a beautifully passionate account of what it was like to be a Foxes fan on May 2nd 2016 (and the following months) as history was made when the club from the East Midlands claimed the Premier League title. As a look of pure pride swept over Ayesha’s face she exclaimed “I’ll be telling my kids and my grandkids about that season. I don’t think much will compare to that feeling.” The often aptly named ‘beautiful game’ has also had some ugly moments and some areas that Ayesha wants addressed include the issues around homophobia and racism, which continue to rear their heads as we enter this new decade.

Words: Jenny Simmons Images: Martyn Ewoma Stylist: Nathan Lee Concept & Design: Ayesha Brown Model: Liza Bilal Make Up: Roisin Hazel @OffsideOutlet @Ayesha3stripes @SirensFC

While lockdown has reduced her amount of on-pitch time, it hasn’t stopped Ayesha’s creative juices flowing as she’s set to launch her own platform which explores the intersection between football and fashion early next year. “I’ve always been fascinated by football kits and the process of making them. Keenly awaiting each season’s drops and finding out the stories behind each of their designs. With Offside Outlet I’ll be customizing and selling limited edition jerseys, but with a new decade spin, bringing to the fore the idea of what it means to wear a football jersey today. I want to be inclusive in sizing, too. Fashion today needs to be accessible to all and that’s what I’ll be aiming for. I’m in the process of speaking to wholesalers in order to source the shirts, which is a much more difficult task than you might anticipate.” I round off our discussion with a nod to Ayesha’s email signature, which reads ‘Creative Space Invader’, not only a homage to her love of old-school computer gaming, but also her belief that any space that’s intended for creative people is a space to be invaded. Her final rallying cry is clear: set your own high score, beat it. Then beat it again.

CREATIVE SPACE INVADER

Axelle Courlander and I first met on a dreary day at St George’s Park, the English Football Association's national football centre. Punctuating our work with impassioned discussions on the state of the game and the ways in which we’d found ourselves in that same place at the same time, our follow-up discussion, some four years later, was long overdue. Where did your desire for creating come from? Who or what has influenced your style of photography and image capture? I’ve been around cameras and film sets my whole life. My dad used to take me to work with him and my mother is also a producer, so it’s very much a family business. Growing up, we always had cameras around the house and I used to take one to school, I’d shoot pictures and film videos of my friends skateboarding. Not quite masterpieces, but I loved doing it. I’ve been going to Chelsea games since I was about six, and I’d say from the age of 12 I was taking my camera with me; going to the stadium early so I could take pictures of the players warming up. I've even got a scrapbook somewhere with pictures I took from our seats in the Matthew Harding Stand - the women’s team doing a lap of honour, shots of Wise, Poyet and Zola as they prepared for the game. I’m not sure where those pictures are at the moment, but looking back I think everything I've achieved in my career has stemmed from going to games, with a camera and just capturing what I saw. As the years have gone on and I’ve developed as a creator, I think I’ve always tried to take more than just an action shot, searching instead for an emotion or a feeling, something you might not see anywhere else - and ultimately my goal is to make the subject look incredible.

IT’S PRONOUNCED AX-ELLE

You’ve rubbed shoulders with the likes of Cantona, Gerrard, Ronaldhinio and Zidane - it must have been a dream come true! What are your earliest footballing memories and who were your favourite players growing up? Meeting players and legends of that level is hard to put into words. Inside the little football nutter is on such a high, on the outside, the professional has to stay in the room. Although, weirdly, I’ve always felt very comfortable around footballers, I rarely get star struck or freeze. Gerrard was the one player I felt a little star struck by, which I probably shouldn’t admit, being a Chelsea fan! Some of my earliest memories of football are probably of me trying to play with the boys at school and I was never really welcomed. I played, but it wasn’t easy until I had the ball. A boy called Sana bought me a football for my birthday and that changed everything. I must have been about five or six, because after that, a teacher started a team at school. I was the only girl on the team and my dad got me my first pair of boots - the original Ronaldo World Cup 98’ Nike Mercurials. How did you become a Chelsea fan? My dad seems to be a recurring theme in this interview, but he and his friends got season tickets at Chelsea and when I was old enough, I joined them. We used to go to the Goat In Boots in Fulham before the games. I remember at my first ever game my dad’s friends were asking me what I thought was going to happen. Something came over me and i just said “Zola is going to score in the first minute”, they all laughed and went back to their beers. We finished up our drinks, went to the game, and Zola scored in the first minute - the rest of the day is a blur, but my allegiance was set from that moment. I don't think you could have got me to support anyone else. Ever since, I always get asked for score predictions - sadly, no one seems to have won big - beginner’s luck, I guess.

IT’S PRONOUNCED AX-ELLE

You’re currently playing for Brentford Ladies, what do you tell yourself before stepping onto the pitch for training or a game? Yes, I signed with them just before lockdown. I’m not one to self talk before games or training* - if anything it's just to enjoy it, have fun and work hard. I don't like coming off the pitch feeling like I’ve not enjoyed it or done what was asked of me. Football has always been the one place where I can switch off my thoughts and just be present, in the zone and not worrying about anything else. I guess in some ways it's a bit like meditation, being able to focus purely on one thing. Unless we're doing fitness training, in which case I have to try and tell myself to run and not stop, when really my mind is begging me to end the misery! *Some weeks after the interview, Axelle followed up with an email in response to this particular question: ‘Funny story…ever since you asked me if I self talk before I games, I know I said ‘no’, but I started doing it. All I do is, in my head, start with whispering “I'm going to score” over and over until I'm literally screaming it at myself in my own head. I've scored three times since! Thought I’d share.’

What’s the life lesson that football has taught you? I think football, at whatever level you’re at, is the greatest teacher. From learning to work with others, to knowing how far you can push yourself individually. Football has taught me how to be understanding and accepting of others - culture and diversity is so important in life, and introducing that to children (and adults) through sports, has an immeasurable impact on them. Those social boundaries are instantly removed on a football pitch between you and your teammates, on the flip side they really highlight the issues we have in society when you come across individuals or teams who haven’t been exposed to people who “don’t look like them” that’s still a battle we have to overcome, not only in the game, but in life. Everything that’s gone on in the last few months has really exposed the major issues around racism and systemic racism we’re still battling today.

Football also teaches you how to win, how to lose, what it takes to be a winner, to be the best - these are all qualities and skills you need in everyday life, if you can take those lessons and apply them in everything you do, there’s no limit to what you can achieve. What excites you most about the women’s game and development we’ve seen in it over the past few years? We’ve only just begun in pushing the game towards where it needs to be. What is exciting is seeing more and more young girls being given the opportunity to play, to see more girls teams form and compete on a grassroots level. Just knowing girls are being given a space of their own to play, compete and learn from the game is amazing. I still think it's incredibly important for girls and boys to play together, it’s invaluable to children’s development, but girls, just like boys, also need their own spaces and now girls are finally starting to get that equality they need. It doesn’t matter if they don't end up playing at an elite level, but for them to just to enjoy the game is very special. My relationship with my dad is very strong because of football, it's an incredible bond to have and to know more young girls, will have similar bonds with their parents because of football is a beautiful thing. Of course, it's amazing to see the progression of those who are talented enough to play at that level, to push on and have the platform to showcase their abilities to the world, it's fully deserved. The pressure is on, not only on players and clubs, but also federations to continue to grow the space, the funding and capacity for girls and women to be a part of football, and to have their space in the game respected by everyone. You could say it's unfair to put that pressure on those players at the top, but for everyone that’s come before us, there’s a responsibility to honour their legacy and ensure that their struggles are not forgotten, to secure your own and build the next step on the ladder for the future. You can see there’s a real hunger from everyone in the game to keep pushing the boundaries and to continue the growth.

IT’S PRONOUNCED AX-ELLE

You’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, starting a business from your bedroom at university, do you have an ultimate goal or ambition? Ultimately, my personal goal is to be widely regarded as one of the best Directors/DOP/Photographers in film. This year I took a big step towards achieving that by signing to a production company, who will represent me as a director. I’ve also always wanted to make an impact on football, growing up and becoming aware that women couldn’t play professionally, I slowly shifted my focus to my other passions. I think I’ve been very lucky to merge both of my interests and to be able to bring something to football, even if it's just a tiny thing is an accomplishment for me. And on to 2020, the most unique year in our lifetime... did you manage to develop a lockdown routine? If so, what was it? How did it develop over time? At the beginning it probably wasn’t the healthiest of routines, evening drinks and not so nutritious meals, but it didn’t last long! We made it routine to have Saturday parties, cooking different types of meals every week, having something to look forward to. Then as soon as I could, I invested in a small amount of gym equipment, designed a program and trained four or five times a week - it really kept me focused. I started running, like everyone else. I think having that focus and routine kept me from drifting into bad habits and poor routines. This really fed into everything else I was doing. I managed to write the first draft of my film, which I've been meaning to do for about five years, so it's a great feeling to finally see the words on the page. I refocused on minimalism and finding ways to grow my business, which is my main goal, to finish 2020 on a high. What’s the biggest learning about yourself this year? Patience. In life, on the pitch, in work, in everything. We are so demanding as a society and as individuals, we demand everything instantly. We want it now and I definitely fell into that trap.

Being stuck in that mindset means that we fail to enjoy what we have or the hard work it inevitably takes to achieve our goals and ambitions. Before you know it, you’ve wasted six months trying to achieve something today, when you could have done it in three if you’d have had more patience with the process. What has brought you the most joy this year? Family and friends. Everyone in my family is so important to me. My sisters and their children bring me such joy; I love being around them and having more time to spend with them has definitely been a highlight. My brother has really progressed with his music this year and every time he releases a new track, I love playing it on repeat and shamelessly plugging it (La Floor - Courlander is my favourite). I'd say work wise, I recently worked on a job for BT Sport and the crew and talent made the whole shoot one of the best projects I’ve ever been involved in. Booking a good job post lockdown, the location being at St George’s Park, but the most amazing part was the people. The women selected to be a part of the process were some of the most incredible people I’ve ever met. Not only talented players, but also fantastic human beings, their journeys in life, their strength and willingness to speak so openly about their experiences was so powerful. It was genuinely life-changing to have worked with that crew creating such a deeply impactful show. And finally football and fitness, I’ve been on a fairly long personal journey to really make a change for my physicality. I wasn’t happy with how I was feeling, so I made some changes and worked towards self-improvement. I think I’m finally feeling much more comfortable and happy within myself. I’m not done yet but I'm in a much better place for it. Words: Jenny Simmons Images: Axelle Courlander @thisisaxelle

IT’S PRONOUNCED AX-ELLE

Hovering my cursor over the ‘Leave Meeting’ button for [what felt like - and could feasibly have been] the one thousandth time this year, I smiled and clicked. Almost immediately, a wave of panic washed over me. I was confronted with the dilemma of how I was going to accurately convey the pure joy and energy that oozed from Debra on the two occasions we had spoken on Zoom. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to do it justice - or even come close. Two occasions, because one was simply not enough. We barely scratched the surface in the first hour we spoke. Instead, finding our conversational rhythm and trading football stories like we would stickers in the playground back in my day. My day, not Debra’s day - she’s 15 years my junior, and lived a very different reality when it came to finding her way in the beautiful game. Debra Nelson, 18 is a Youth Mentor and Coach at Football Beyond Borders, a London-based organisation that exists to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds who are passionate about football, but disengaged with the education system. Starting out as a participant in the programme, in no time at all Debra impressed and became part of the staff, currently working with 40 young women to help them build the skills and get the grades to make a successful transition into adulthood. Speaking at conferences, appearing on podcasts and featuring in campaigns for one of the world’s biggest sports brands are all things that casually sit on Debra’s list of accomplishments. I’m in awe as we speak; she drops knowledge beyond her years and I find myself furiously scribbling notes as we converse, so not to miss the next gem.

BE MORE DEBRA

Very much aware of the ‘young leader’ badge she wears wherever she goes, Debra tells me about how meticulously she contemplates each social media post and indeed, how every decision she makes, in many ways, is being watched; whether that’s by brands, her company or the young women she’s clearly having an impact on. “That’s pressure.” I tell her. Though she’s unphased and shrugs it off, knowing she’s capable of rising to the challenge. I suspect she’s capable of much more, too. In a year where challenging times are the norm, the next big one that’s headed Debra’s way when we speak is the impending result of her A Level exams. Once again, she takes it in her stride, and when asked about her aspirations in life, there’s a cool calmness to her response: “I don’t know yet. When I look back to being 14, I was interested in becoming a physiotherapist, but I’ve had so many experiences since then that have continued to influence my thought process when it comes to my future. I really enjoy helping people, that’s one thing I do know. I’m also aware that there’s no rush on this. My next step is university and from there, let’s see.” We get back to football when my curiosity about Debra’s coaching style piques. Her face glows as she explains her method: “I let the girls build the session for themselves. Ask them what it is they want or feel that they need to work on, then offer some drill options based on this. The aim is simply to have fun and be free - to enjoy the game is the only real goal. It’s important that the girls feel included in the session, that they make decisions about what we do and know that it’s collaborative. I’m not the boss, they are.’’ I imagine Debra being my coach for a moment. I’d give her hell, but she’d love it. So would I. As our passionate ramblings wound on, it would have been remiss of me not to touch on some of the heavier topics of the year, which, it turned out, had impacted both Debra and I in unexpected ways.

BE MORE DEBRA

“It’s really shone a light on some of the issues we already knew existed. While I’m hopeful for the future and for change, I understand that there’s no quick fix - it’ll take time. Amongst the intensity of this year, I realised how important it is for me to see black women in positions of power - it helps me to believe that could be my reality, too.” One accolade of Debra’s that I was keen to confirm was whether or not it was, in fact, her I’d seen in Jorja Smith’s music video for the artist’s anthemic song about social justice, ‘By Any Means’. “Wow, you recognised me from just my eyes! It is me! A few of us from Football Beyond Borders were involved. It was surreal.” Debra proceeded to tell me how she’d had another surreal moment with Jorja when she’d turned 16 two years previously. “She sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to me at a gig with hundreds of people. I was so happy!” Then it clicked. Debra and I had actually met before. In the real world, not the virtual one. On that very day - in that very moment. I’d been standing next to her at the event and had heard rumblings that it was her special day. I was working, and as my job at that particular event was to brief the host, why wouldn’t I ask that she mention the birthday to Jorja in the hope of her singing to the young woman that had been by my side lip-syncing and swaying to the music all night? Struck by the weird and often wonderful ways in which the world works, we laughed together about the moment we’d unknowingly shared. “Debra, before you go, can I ask you one more, very personal question?

BE MORE DEBRA

...Why is your tongue blue?” That huge (and now familiar) smile found its way back onto her face, she stuck out her tongue and checked it out for herself by pulling her phone closer. “I was eating sweets right before this call” she cackled. I joined her. Then I thought about myself, sitting on countless video calls this year; laptop strategically placed on my dining table - hair done, plant, lamp and modern artwork in view - allowing just enough ‘personality’ of my home to be seen to prove that I’m no Patrick Bateman, but not too much that I’d feel my privacy being invaded. Clearly, I’ve been overthinking it. All of it. I’ll be attending a call or two in the future with a blue tongue. I suggest you do the same. Be more Debra.

Words: Jenny Simmons Images: Nike @_debra._ @footballbeyondborders

BE MORE DEBRA

lipstick and game face

she wears BOTH WITH equal PRIDE

NOW ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S YOUR TURN, GIRLS

HAIKU

youtube.com/watch?v=ZpdC222n-wI HAIKU HAIKU

manon TWENTY TWENTY