This blog is written by Thomas Lamberth, Student at Manchester Metropolitan University studying Manchester City Community Football coaching, and Manchester Young Leader.
Like most, my love of football started with playing, every chance I had there was a ball glued to my feet. Playing during lunch, playing for my primary and secondary school and then my local club eventually making it to county try-outs. However, when I took a break from playing for my exams, I didn’t expect to not have the option to play for the next 7 years.
When I came to terms with my gender identity as a transgender man, I never expected to feel isolated from the footballing world.
Without football, as an escape and source of community, I struggled with my mental health. Coming out to my family, friends and colleagues at 17, was a struggle I battled with for a long time. I am not going to tell you that the outcomes were perfect, because they weren't and I have only recently told the rest of my family at the age of 22.
I am no longer hiding a part of myself I was once ashamed of, but embracing the strength and courage it has given me to face future challenges.
After the age of 16, transgender players may apply to the FA for approval to play in their affirmed gender. However, the requirement of this is Hormone Therapy, which unfortunately takes a considerably long time to obtain through the NHS.
Following this participation obstacle, I now had no way around when I turned to coaching. I began to fall back in love with football and grow my sense of community all over again, and have recently obtained my first coaching qualifications as well as moving halfway across the country to Manchester to study Community Football Coaching.
Wanting to explore this newfound motivation and passion I got into contact with Wiltshire Youth Council where I was then shown the opportunity to attend the FA Leadership Academy (FALA). On arriving at FALA I realised the safe and inclusive environment I was surrounded with, opening up to my mentor group about my personal experiences and my project.
Equal Plays is not only a FALA project, but has become a heightened passion project, building on personal struggles I realised the gap the transgender and non-binary communities are struggling with. I am using my project to educate the community about this sensitive area within sports, as well as lay a foundation to start safe and welcoming areas for the Transgender and Non-binary community to participate in sports regardless of the gender brackets we currently have.
Removing Politics and the competitive side of sport and drawing on the social and well-being aspect that football has, to help the small community that is struggling in the shadows.
Overall everyone deserves a space in football, and I think all of us are striving to make that happen, with all the FALA projects Past, Present and Future. The work the Youth volunteers do creates a wider network of growth and a more inclusive environment
What can you as the reader do? Comment below if you have any questions, share your ideas, and let me know if you have any valuable contacts that can help Equal Plays with the big kickstart it should have!