10-year-old schoolgirl honoured by England Football’s #LetGirlsPlay awards

As the Lionesses prepare for their next World Cup match on Friday (28 July), an inspirational 10-year-old from Bedford has received an award from England Football in recognition of a petition that has received over 65,000 signatures.

Lola Bracey, a pupil at Scott Primary, started her Change.org petition in January, asking for equal rights for girls to play football at school “like the boys do.”

“She realised that a lot of girls she played with at Real Bedford didn’t have the same support or sports provision at their schools that she had,” said Lola’s mum, Kelly.

“She doesn’t distinguish between girls and boys football. To Lola, “it’s just football” and she wants all primary children to have access to sports.”

Since its launch, the petition has attracted tens of thousands of signatures and earned the schoolgirl the #LetGirlsPlay Lionesses’ Legacy award – plus a donation of footballs and sports equipment – making her the perfect candidate for our second spotlight on girls shaping the future of football in Bedford.

Read: Bedford girls proving the future of football could be female

Lola, who plays midfield at school, for the county, Real Bedford Ladies and Girls U10s and as the only female player in the Kempston Rovers Colts Lions U12s team, has also got the support of the Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan MP, after she wrote to her asking for equal access to sports in schools.

But she’s not content to rest of her laurels.

Just before the summer holidays, Lola wrote to the head teacher of every school in Bedford Borough to ask if they’ve got equipment to enable their pupils to play football.

“If they haven’t got footballs, we can donate them,” said Kelly. “And if there’s a wider issue, we can look at fundraising to get more equipment into schools. Eventually, Lola would like football – our national sport – to be part of the school curriculum; to be mandatory in schools.”

Zara Carroll, Lola’s coach at Real Bedford, said: “Lola did a very brave thing to start a petition, because lots of girls probably thought and felt the same way, but Lola actually did something about it and it just shows her character and bravery which is evident on the pitch.”

You can add your name to Lola’s petition here.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CukRJo5tcBa/?img_index=1

Zara said that thanks to the England Ladies winning the Euros, plus matches being more accessible to watch on TV and in stadiums, it has given young players female role models in the sport.

“As a result of this we have seen a rise in girls wanting to play football and turning up to training in hope to join a team. At U8s we only had six local girls’ teams and now we are moving in to U11s there are over 20 teams at our age group – and three of the teams are from our club.

“The only obstacle still left for girls’ football is in schools, football is still seen to be a boy’s sport just as netball is seen to be a girl’s sport.

“Why does there need to be barriers? I personally hated netball as a sport and much preferred football. Not all schools will be as regimented but there is such a difference in a lot of schools especially ones that are more traditional and haven’t moved with the times.”

Lola is lucky to have a supportive school and PE teacher, Laurie Allen, who has got behind her campaign.

“Lola started her football journey at Scott Primary School, through our Girls’ Football Club,” said Laurie.

“Bedford Ladies Football Club has been a huge part of our School Development Plan and has created major opportunities for Lola and many other students from our school. Lola has fantastic leadership qualities in a team setting and it is amazing to see that these qualities are being utilised, in order to make great changes in girls’ sport.

“We are proud of her campaign. Lola loves football and wants as many girls to enjoy the game, as much as she does. Many congratulations, Lola!”

As part of the celebrations, Bedford and Kempston MP, Mohammad Yasin (Labour) presented Lola with her award. He said: “The Lionesses’ success at the women’s Euros last year has been a turning point in women and girl’s sport.

“So it was a proud moment for me to give Lola an award for her brilliant efforts in campaigning for equal access to football for girls. Equal opportunity in school and community sports is the vital next step to create the opportunities and grassroots culture that finds the best talent for the future.

“To that end, I would like to see former Lioness Karen Carney’s findings and recommendations of her review into the future of domestic women’s football implemented in full which essentially calls for women and girl’s accepting nothing less than world leading standards for players, fans, staff, and everybody involved in the women’s game. 

“Lola and her mum won’t accept anything less and I hope they continue to smash through the barriers.”

Asked for her hopes for the future of women’s and girls’ football in Bedford, Lola’s coach, Zara, said, “My dream would be to watching England Ladies as a retired coach and see players in the squad that I have either coached or faced as an opposition.

“But the real joy I get from it is making the girls happy and enabling them to have great memories doing what they love with the friendships they have built.

“I want for them what past coaches have given me; it feels organic to now be giving back to my childhood club.”