Inspiration… it can be found in many places.
My inspiration for my sports journey in playing and coaching is Lee Bradbury, and he is one of the nicest and most understanding ex footballers I’ve met….ever! I have liked him for over 20 years, but never thought I’d actually get to meet him and tell him what he means to me! He makes me feel really welcome and relaxed when I have conversations and he listens to me, which makes me feel valued. It’s special to have a good relationship with a person you idolise as you can connect better, and he makes me happy when I meet him.
My passion for football is elevated through watching Lee Bradbury play with the Portsmouth FC charity team, and I swear I’m almost like a mini version of him! I may get a little obsessional about Lee, but he really has been a hero for me to look up to and that’s helped me to achieve what I do.
I got interested more in wanting to play when I was a teen, but there was not an appropriate group for me when I was growing up – so I was delighted to find Mumball (Pompey In The Community) in the summer of 2016 in my late 20’s. I thought I was not going to be fit enough, but I’d lost a stone in weight that same year.
Just a push from a few friends ensured that I’d try it out – and I didn’t do too badly, regularly scoring the last goal of the session. Joining a group at the grand age of 27 had made me feel more confident at exercise, as when I was at school I hated P.E. – always being the last changed for the lesson and detesting hockey!
After 6-7 months I decided to move on and join a social inclusion group called Victory Hants, in Portsmouth. The group accepts everyone, no matter their race, sexual preference or their disability. It aims to help rehabilitate anyone that feels alone or feels they have no future after personal and mental health issues. You just have to be at least 14 years old to start coming to the session. I have met many amazing people through football, so if I can do it then anyone can!
After one session has ended, I am already waiting to put my boots on again for my next. I’m not satisfied with weeks when I don’t score (much like Bradbury himself), so I try to get at least one goal most weeks.
I also really enjoy walking football – this is a skill in itself as you have to remember to walk and you only have three touches on the ball when you receive it.
I have my level one football coaching badge and I am currently doing my UEFA C (level 2). I have helped with a tots group for a local side and a girls session too plus adding more strings to my bow in disability football coaching, which was good to get a feel of how kids with different issues can thrive in the sport and how we can get them to explore football as they get older!