Hi Community,

My name is Maria Lopez. I recently joined the community not too long ago. I am really happy to be part of a community that is just as a passionate as I am for football. In my case, it all started with my dad playing football in college and me wanting to spend more time with him. 

So here is a bit a about me. I am originally from Nicaragua, I was born and raised there. Until, I was 17 that I got a scholarship to pursue journalism in the US. I got a scholarship at the University of South Carolina. The dream originally was to become a sports reporter for football and work for ESPN or CNN. That didnt happen. When I did get my internship at CNN and I was that path to make it happened, I discovered how hostile and stressful the sports environment is for a woman who is trying to breakthrough that area particularly in football. That was back in 2011, in the US.

Because of that, I forgot about actually doing journalism and pursue a masters in public health and became a researcher in the US and worked in academia doing research in mental health, physical activity, HIV, cancer prevention. After that, I realized although I was fullfilled, I was missing communications. So, I went back to communications and started working for non profits all over the world, Colombia, Mexico, Spain, Nicaragua, etc.

I am telling this story just so that you get a sense of my context of my story and how I am still passionate about that dream of being in the world of sports. I took a leap of faith not too long ago and moved to London about a month ago. 

I am currently applying to jobs in marketing-communications particulary in the tech industry, but on the side, I still want to pursue my passions (football and journalism). So, I have several questions for you, that maybe some of you can give me an insight of what organizations to follow, who to contact.

1. I am trying to find volunteer opportunities in football. Ideally for me it will be a grassroot school where I could use my skillset either creating content, social media or writing for them. Where can I find these opportunities. I am willing to travel to it, but I live southeast london, so near Goldsmith University/new cross gate station

2. I am also trying to pursue freelancing writing opportunities in sports and I have a blog I am working on to give visibility to female collective competitive sports, but it will be nice to find freelance writing opportunities either in online magazines or newspapers, do you which outlets will be good

3. I recently went to an event brite forum of women in sports leadership and the big problem there is in the UK about the lack of represenation in women. I learned in that forum, even though this is a current issue, there are opportunities where women can get involve. Do you have an advice for what organizations to join, how to join a leadership board

4. When I lived in Madrid, I used to volunteer for Real Madrid Foundation. Every team has a foundation and since I have plenty of experiences working for non profits. I thought I could email Arsenal or Chelsea, do you know who will be a good contact for it?

5. I also applied to be a volunteer this year for the Euro Cup in Germany, the Olympics in Paris and hope I can have a chance at the Premier League Final at Wembley Stadium in June. Do you have a recommendation for any major events to volunteer at?

6. Are there any leadership programs in sports that I could apply for or do online. If there are, is there any restriction being a UK citizen?

7. Also, I have considered going through a coaching program, not particularly because I want to work as a coach, because I actually do want to pursue communications/marketing jobs, but I thought that through becoming a coach, I could fully understand the game and it will be easier for me to connect and write a story, do you think this could be a good idea? or not worthy, are there any other pathways when it comes to learning the game

Thank you so much for all of the insight, advice you can give me on this! I am extremely grateful!