Latest news with #BreakingLimitsProgramme
Leader Live
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Ex-England international wants more female role models in sport
Telford, from County Durham, achieved 27 caps in an England shirt and appeared in three FA Cup finals with Leeds United, Chelsea and Notts County. She lacked visible representation during her youth but since taking on her post-playing role working at Chelsea Women as a Commercial Manager, she can see new opportunities for young girls. 'I basically didn't have any female role models until I was a lot older,' she said. 'If I was asked that question as a youngster, I would have said David Beckham or David Ginola. 'I was in a school last week, and we were doing the trophy tour for the FA Cup. I sat down next to a group of girls, and I said, 'Oh, who are your role models?' and they said Sam Kerr, Millie Bright, Lauren James and that is just so normal for them. 'To see them writing their names down, wishing them good luck, it's just so inspiring for them to be like, I see myself in her, or I want to be like her one day.' A study by Sure in 2024 found that 58% of girls say that having a female role model strengthens their passion for football. Telford, who was part of a panel discussing the issue at Stamford Bridge this week, has been able to become the role model for others that she never had, spending eight years at WSL heavyweights Chelsea during her career. 'It's mad. I sometimes forget it, until someone's like, 'Can you sign my T-shirt? Can you sign my boot?','' she said. 'It's almost like a responsibility as well in the best kind of way. I didn't want to be a footballer for any other reason, I just loved it. I genuinely do. If you ask most of the girls who play the game, it's all for the love of it. 'The responsibility that comes with that is to always turn up as who you are, because there's always going to be a young girl, a group of girls that will be like, 'Oh, I sound like her, I look like her, I play the position she does.' 'Not all of us have a smooth journey. Just because when you get to the top, it looks like it's all great, and Instagram and TikTok can make it look all fun, actually it's a difficult role. 'There's a lot of rejection, sometimes confidence is low, you're not selected. There's a lot of things that you have to deal with but that also helps you prepare for life outside.' For Telford, that authenticity is key in allowing girls to connect with players and create role models who speak to wider aspects of life beyond elite football. 'Role models should allow girls to aspire to be Lionesses and want to be the best of the best, but also empower them to feel confident, to feel like they can do it, and that gives them life skills in the longer term as well,' she added. Visibility plays a vital role in inspiring young girls in sports, but it alone isn't enough. Increased visibility needs to be paired with real world grassroots investment – like Sure's Breaking Limits Programme – find out more here
North Wales Chronicle
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Ex-England international wants more female role models in sport
Telford, from County Durham, achieved 27 caps in an England shirt and appeared in three FA Cup finals with Leeds United, Chelsea and Notts County. She lacked visible representation during her youth but since taking on her post-playing role working at Chelsea Women as a Commercial Manager, she can see new opportunities for young girls. 'I basically didn't have any female role models until I was a lot older,' she said. 'If I was asked that question as a youngster, I would have said David Beckham or David Ginola. 'I was in a school last week, and we were doing the trophy tour for the FA Cup. I sat down next to a group of girls, and I said, 'Oh, who are your role models?' and they said Sam Kerr, Millie Bright, Lauren James and that is just so normal for them. 'To see them writing their names down, wishing them good luck, it's just so inspiring for them to be like, I see myself in her, or I want to be like her one day.' A study by Sure in 2024 found that 58% of girls say that having a female role model strengthens their passion for football. Telford, who was part of a panel discussing the issue at Stamford Bridge this week, has been able to become the role model for others that she never had, spending eight years at WSL heavyweights Chelsea during her career. 'It's mad. I sometimes forget it, until someone's like, 'Can you sign my T-shirt? Can you sign my boot?','' she said. 'It's almost like a responsibility as well in the best kind of way. I didn't want to be a footballer for any other reason, I just loved it. I genuinely do. If you ask most of the girls who play the game, it's all for the love of it. 'The responsibility that comes with that is to always turn up as who you are, because there's always going to be a young girl, a group of girls that will be like, 'Oh, I sound like her, I look like her, I play the position she does.' 'Not all of us have a smooth journey. Just because when you get to the top, it looks like it's all great, and Instagram and TikTok can make it look all fun, actually it's a difficult role. 'There's a lot of rejection, sometimes confidence is low, you're not selected. There's a lot of things that you have to deal with but that also helps you prepare for life outside.' For Telford, that authenticity is key in allowing girls to connect with players and create role models who speak to wider aspects of life beyond elite football. 'Role models should allow girls to aspire to be Lionesses and want to be the best of the best, but also empower them to feel confident, to feel like they can do it, and that gives them life skills in the longer term as well,' she added. Visibility plays a vital role in inspiring young girls in sports, but it alone isn't enough. Increased visibility needs to be paired with real world grassroots investment – like Sure's Breaking Limits Programme – find out more here
South Wales Guardian
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Ex-England international wants more female role models in sport
Telford, from County Durham, achieved 27 caps in an England shirt and appeared in three FA Cup finals with Leeds United, Chelsea and Notts County. She lacked visible representation during her youth but since taking on her post-playing role working at Chelsea Women as a Commercial Manager, she can see new opportunities for young girls. 'I basically didn't have any female role models until I was a lot older,' she said. 'If I was asked that question as a youngster, I would have said David Beckham or David Ginola. 'I was in a school last week, and we were doing the trophy tour for the FA Cup. I sat down next to a group of girls, and I said, 'Oh, who are your role models?' and they said Sam Kerr, Millie Bright, Lauren James and that is just so normal for them. 'To see them writing their names down, wishing them good luck, it's just so inspiring for them to be like, I see myself in her, or I want to be like her one day.' A study by Sure in 2024 found that 58% of girls say that having a female role model strengthens their passion for football. Telford, who was part of a panel discussing the issue at Stamford Bridge this week, has been able to become the role model for others that she never had, spending eight years at WSL heavyweights Chelsea during her career. 'It's mad. I sometimes forget it, until someone's like, 'Can you sign my T-shirt? Can you sign my boot?','' she said. 'It's almost like a responsibility as well in the best kind of way. I didn't want to be a footballer for any other reason, I just loved it. I genuinely do. If you ask most of the girls who play the game, it's all for the love of it. 'The responsibility that comes with that is to always turn up as who you are, because there's always going to be a young girl, a group of girls that will be like, 'Oh, I sound like her, I look like her, I play the position she does.' 'Not all of us have a smooth journey. Just because when you get to the top, it looks like it's all great, and Instagram and TikTok can make it look all fun, actually it's a difficult role. 'There's a lot of rejection, sometimes confidence is low, you're not selected. There's a lot of things that you have to deal with but that also helps you prepare for life outside.' For Telford, that authenticity is key in allowing girls to connect with players and create role models who speak to wider aspects of life beyond elite football. 'Role models should allow girls to aspire to be Lionesses and want to be the best of the best, but also empower them to feel confident, to feel like they can do it, and that gives them life skills in the longer term as well,' she added. Visibility plays a vital role in inspiring young girls in sports, but it alone isn't enough. Increased visibility needs to be paired with real world grassroots investment – like Sure's Breaking Limits Programme – find out more here
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Carly Telford: Role models are vital to 'empower' girls in sport
Telford and Chelsea are partnering with Sure to give young girls the authentic role models they deserve in a sport that is growing exponentially. 'So many girls still have barriers to entry, whether that's from sweating, whether that's from clubs to join, not enough coaches, or role models,' said Telford. 'Having role models is super important, not only so girls can aspire to be Lionesses, but also just empower them to feel confident, to feel like they can do it, and that gives them life skills in the longer term as well. 'When you go to school, or you go into a club, you realise quite quickly that you're not all the same. You're right-footed, someone's left, someone's from a different place, someone's got different boots on, or looks a different way, too. 'Being able to show those authentic stories and cases throughout the professional elite level, helps girls at a younger level understand that they're also different, but their differences are their superpowers.' Such a message was the flavour of the day at Sure's Breaking Limits Pitch Day, hosted at Stamford Bridge. Young children, including members of Girls United, were given the opportunity to play on the pitch at the home of the Women's Super League champions and meet former Chelsea shot stopper Telford. 'This is about helping young people feel like they have the confidence and the opportunity to be physically active,' explained Emily Heath, Global Brand Director at Sure. 'It is a special opportunity for these young people from some of our NGO partners to just have a moment where one, they can just have a completely special experience, a real treat. 'Secondly, to really believe that they belong and that they can dream about the fact that one day they might play on Stamford Bridge pitch, or one day they might be able to work in a job that's behind the scenes. 'It's about showing them that that is possible. That's what Sure is trying to do with this event.' With Telford on hand to give out medals, those participating were able to speak directly to a former Lioness and see what can be possible. Sure found 67% of UK girls say seeing female role models inspires them to practice and improve and Heath added: 'We all remember from when we were kids that teacher, that community worker or even that famous athlete that we looked up to or that person that helped you believe that you could do something. 'The role we're trying to do is to act in a way that we can facilitate and draw attention to all the role models needed within the sport on a wider scale, but also the ones that are already there. 'Role models have so much potential to create something where you truly just believe that you can do something and that shouldn't be underestimated.' Visibility plays a vital role in inspiring young girls in sports, but it alone isn't enough. Increased visibility needs to be paired with real world grassroots investment – like Sure's Breaking Limits Programme – find out more here
