When I first began my leadership journey during FALA23, I spent a significant amount of time reflecting on my experiences within my local football community since moving to the UK in 2019. Football has consistently been a safe space for me throughout both my time at Loughborough University and earlier in my life. Moving from the United States at the age of 17 was a daunting transition, but the universal language of football enabled me to build friendships, develop a sense of belonging and navigate a new cultural environment with confidence.

During the FALA23 Residential, these reflections continued to come to the forefront of my mind. I considered the powerful role football has played in shaping my own positive experiences and began thinking critically about accessibility and inclusivity within the sport. This perspective became particularly relevant when I took on the role of Football Coordinator for Social Sport at Loughborough University. In this position, I oversaw 12 6-aside leagues involving over 300 students. Early in my role I observed that all leagues were predominantly male, with only a small number of female participants integrated into these spaces.

This prompted me to reflect on my own experiences within football environments. I recognised for many individuals, including myself, a mixed gender football environment may not always provide the same sense of safety, comfort or belonging that sport ideally should. During my time at Loughborough University, I identified that over 200 female students arrived at university motivated to play football, yet many were deterred by the competitive or male dominated structures currently in place.

As a member of the LGTBQ+ community, I also considered the impact this structure would have on those who identify as non-binary who may feel overlooked within the structure. Sport has historically presented barriers for LGBTQ+ individuals, and without intentional design, created environments that can feel exclusionary rather than empowering. I recognised an opportunity with my FALA23 project to create a space that not only addressed gender imbalance but also actively fostered inclusivity for individuals of diverse gender identities.

In response, I initiated the development of the first Female and Non-Binary 6-aside Football League at Loughborough University. I engaged with clubs, societies and student networks to recruit teams, with a clear vision of establishing a welcoming, non-competitive and inclusive environment. Within the first semester, five teams were successfully established to create a structured yet supportive league format.

By the end of the semester over 100 female and non-binary students had participated in the league, many of whom had previously felt excluded from existing opportunities. The league not only provided a platform for physical activity but also fostered community, confidence and a renewed sense of belonging. It demonstrated the importance of intentional inclusivity in sport and highlighted how leadership can be used to challenge existing norms and create meaningful change.

This experience within my FALA23 journey reinforced my belief that sport, when interventions are designed thoughtfully, they can be a powerful tool for social inclusion. By prioritising safe spaces and recognising the diverse needs of participants, especially those within the LGBTQ+ community, we ensure that football remains a truly universal game.