I only watched men’s football, but when women’s football got bigger there were no really good black players. I also want to be a role model for the next generation,” says the Liverpool forward Aurélie Csillag about why she is involved in an initiative being launched by the club in October. 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’s foundation and wants to “create a safe, inclusive and empowering environment” by providing sessions, including educational and mentoring help, in Liverpool’s community. Sessions begin on 1 October, but people can register their interest at any time. There will be experts, as well as players, who will assist with on-pitch sessions and provide support to those who sign up.
We can improve women’s 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.” 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. The club says it is “the start that is needed in women’s 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.” 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.
When asked why she believed black and marginalised girls and women may be deterred from playing football, Csillag said: “The most important part is a lack of role models. Maybe also not being able to access it. For example, I was so different when I started to play football and my body was so different.
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