\u201cWhen I was young I never had a role model. I only watched men\u2019s football, but when women\u2019s football got bigger there were no really good black players. I also want to be a role model for the next generation,\u201d says the Liverpool forward Aur\u00e9lie Csillag about why she is involved in an initiative being launched by the club in October.<\/p>\n
Beyond the Goalposts aims to give black and marginalised girls and women pathways and opportunities in football on and off the pitch. It is being carried out by the club\u2019s foundation and wants to \u201ccreate a safe, inclusive and empowering environment\u201d by providing sessions, including educational and mentoring help, in Liverpool\u2019s community. Sessions begin on 1 October, but people can register their interest at any time.<\/p>\n
There will be experts, as well as players, who will assist with on-pitch sessions and provide support to those who sign up. \u201cI heard about the programme and I reached out to the foundation,\u201d the 23-year-old Switzerland international says. \u201cI wanted to support it because it is an important topic for me in football.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was really surprised, I was so happy that such a big club thinks about things like this. We can improve women\u2019s football for black people. I was very excited Liverpool were doing this and I was proud I am a part of a club that is aware of this issue.\u201d<\/p>\n
The sessions are concentrated on leadership, mentoring, health and wellbeing, community engagement and advocacy. There will be on-pitch sessions and a focus on how careers can progress in the sport off the pitch. There will also be activities at Anfield on match days and a football festival. Premier League funding is helping run the programme.<\/p>\n
The club says it is \u201cthe start that is needed in women\u2019s sport, and the legacy of the project will extend beyond the delivery of sessions, creating sustainable change for participants, the foundation, the club, and the wider community. Through leadership development, peer support and meaningful engagement with the LFC Foundation, participants will build the confidence, skills and networks needed to influence positive change.\u201d<\/p>\n
Aur\u00e9lie Csillag says \u2018Everyone should feel that football is a place for them.\u2019 Photograph: Nick Taylor\/LFC\/Getty Images<\/p>\n
Research provided by Liverpool found that girls as young as five feel they do not belong in sport and only 30% of parents believe playing sport is important. The research also found that despite 60% of black girls wanting to be an elite athlete, they are the least active group of girls in England. It also found that one in two black girls feel they need to play down their cultural identity.<\/p>\n
When asked why she believed black and marginalised girls and women may be deterred from playing football, Csillag said: \u201cThe most important part is a lack of role models. Maybe also not being able to access it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey [also might be] struggling with their confidence. For example, I was so different when I started to play football and my body was so different. I played in a team where the whole team were white girls and our body structure was so different and I lost some confidence.<\/p>\n
\u201cI said: \u2018Why am I so tall? Why are my thighs so big? Why is this different?\u2019 I just started to compare myself with them and maybe a lot of other girls may have lost their confidence. They may not keep going because of a lack of support or awareness.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I had one [other black person on the team] they would know what I was talking about. That is why I am so happy that in the national team we have four black girls and five years ago it was only one or two. It is so nice to see that we are competing on such a high level to show girls and women it is possible and they have role models and people like this exist in this sport.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone should feel that football is a place for them and programmes like Beyond the Goalposts help move us closer to that reality by creating opportunities, building confidence and showcasing the diversity that makes the game stronger.\u201d<\/p>\n
The club says for now the programme is just for people in Liverpool, but is something they would like to expand. They are also encouraging other sports organisations to adopt similar types of programmes.<\/p>\n
Beyond the Goalposts will start on 1 October. Photograph: Peter Powell<\/p>\n
For Csillag, it starts at the top. \u201cThe most important thing is that you have black people in the staff, higher up, because I barely see this,\u201d she says. \u201cEvery time I see it I think: \u2018Woah, I could one day maybe reach what she is reaching.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you have never seen it, how can a little girl think she can do it? It will go automatically that young girls will follow that dream or path. Visibility starts at the top.\u201d<\/p>\n
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