When the Lionesses lifted the Euro 2022 trophy, something inside me shifted. It was the first time I’d ever seen women’s football on television, and I remember watching in awe - not just at the skill on display, but at the realisation that this was history being made. Amid the joy, a question hit me: “Why did I never play football growing up?”

The answer came quickly and sharply. I grew up in a city in Belgium where girls’ and women’s football teams didn’t exist - and largely still don’t. I hadn’t just missed out ; a lack of access and opportunity had excluded me. That realisation made me angry, but also determined. I started looking into coaching pathways back home, only to face more barriers - from limited courses to environments that weren’t welcoming for women.

Before moving to the UK, I worked in Nepal and Cambodia on child rights programmes, and it was there that I began to see the true power of football beyond the pitch. In Cambodia, I witnessed the impact a club like FC Barcelona could have on children growing up in slum communities - not just as a symbol of hope, but as a catalyst for real development. Football wasn’t just a sport - it was a platform for social change, and I knew I wanted to be a part of that.

I moved to the UK permanently around seven months ago, and that’s when I finally got my start in coaching. Since then, I’ve completed the FA Introduction to Coaching Football course and have thrown myself into every opportunity to learn and grow. I’m currently exploring shadowing roles at clubs to continue developing my skills and confidence on the pitch.

One of the most rewarding parts of coaching has been the relationships I’ve built with the kids - especially the girls. Seeing their confidence grow, watching them take ownership of the game, and hearing them say things like “I want to be a coach like you” means everything. Just last week, I was nominated by Chelsea FC for their weekend experience as a committed coach - a moment I’ll always be proud of.

But I know there’s still work to do. I want to help create a world where girls don’t have to wait until adulthood to see themselves in football - as players, coaches, or leaders. I want to be a role model who proves that yes, it is possible to belong in football. More importantly, I want to help build spaces where belonging isn’t the exception - it’s the standard.

This is just the beginning of my journey, but I’m excited for where it’s heading. Football has already taken me far, and I hope one day it’ll take me into a role where I can lead international projects that use the game as a force for good. For now, I’m showing up, learning every day, and making sure no girl on my pitch ever has to ask, “Why didn’t I get the chance to play?”