"Microaggressions" from boys could see girls quit football, warns Devizes player
Wiltshire FA is partnering with domestic abuse charity, FearFree, to ensure football remains inclusive
A footballer from Wiltshire says women deserve an equal playing field with boys and men, suggesting there is a risk that young girls might quit the game due to "microaggressions".
Elsie, who plays for Bishop Cannings in Devizes, is speaking ahead of the Women's FA Cup Final at Wembley today, where Brighton and Hove Albion face Manchester City, and says she wants other girls to continue getting the opportunity to be on the pitch.
The women's game has seen explosive growth over much of the last decade, which has seen the Lionesses, led by Sarina Wiegman, win back-to-back European Championships and reach the 2023 World Cup Final, where they lost to Spain.
But at grassroots level, some women can face sexism and misogyny from men and boys, which Elsie says have an impact over time.
"I've never had to directly face extreme misogyny, but I've had to call out microaggressions. So that could just be like anything from not shaking hands because you're a girl or thinking that you'll beat girls because you're boys, things like that," she said.
Elsie added: "It's just tragic for me to hear because lots of little things do build up over time and it could increase the reason why girls choose to drop out of sport quite early."
She's hoping that a new campaign will help ensure women can continue enjoying the game, describing it as "the best game".
"There's not a game that has so many twists and turns. Scoring goals and celebrating with your team, there's nothing better than it."
Campaign aiming to score social change goal
Elsie's warning comes as the Wiltshire FA is partnering with local domestic abuse charity, FearFree, to launch a new programme as part of the "No Fear Here" campaign.
It's aimed at ensuring the football community is safe, inclusive and welcoming for everyone, helping it live up to its tag as "The Peoples Game".
The campaign will aim to tackle domestic and sexual abuse both on and off the pitch, whilst providing tools for the community to report concerns.
A playbook setting out guidance on responding to abuse and "rules to play by" to ensure everyone is protected, while posters with QR codes on them will be put into club areas across the county allowing people to report abuse and find support.
The No Fear Here campaign aims to eradicate abuse across the South West of England.
Elsie told us these campaigns can help improve equality in society.
She said: "I think these campaigns are crucial for people to get better, for the sport to get better as a whole and for people that are affected. They have routes to go down so they can stay in the sport, they don't have to drop out."
Wiltshire FA CEO, Simon Russell, said everyone deserves to feel safe within football.
He said: "We want people to think they've got a place in football and that will only happen if they view it as welcoming. So if they come into the game, they need to know that they're safe and that people will support them if they bring issues that may not be related to their participation in football, but football is a place where they can be supported."
FearFree CEO, Debbie Beadle, wants to harness football's power to drive social change: "Football has an unbelievable power to bring people together, whatever their age and gender and it’s so important that we continue to make it a safe, welcoming place for everyone."
Our ask is that if you need help, whether it’s to make changes to the way you behave or because you are living with abuse to please reach out. We will listen to you, we will believe you, and we will stand with you as you take steps towards a safer life.”