Sophie Morrell
Story:
Sport and football has been a huge part of my life since I was a kid. Started playing at age 6…had a gap between the ages of 12-18 due to no girls football infrastructure/clubs. I started playing again at University again for them and Bristol, and briefly represented England Universities. Then went on to play for Camden Town FC when I moved to London for 10 years.
Reason for nomination:
When I was in my mid twenties I moved to Sierra Leone for 18 months to work at an elite football academy for boys - the only formal football structure in the country. Whilst I was there I helped fund and set up a grassroots girls league for 200 teenage girls in key communities across Sierra Leone. I also coached the girls a little bit whilst I was there, as well as helping to create curriculums (eg. On sex education) to run alongside the training sessions. This was a great way to reach and engage the girls in a non-formal environment and I saw the power football has to create change and empower young girls in a traditional and often male orientated society.
Football has played a huge role in my life - both socially and professionally. My time personally playing, and my time in Africa showed me the power football has to bring people together and genuinely transform lives. This is what led me to Working in football moving away from a ten year career in the charity sector… first at Liverpool FC, and most recently at CSM. Football has the power to turn someone’s day around…and for millions of people watching their team play is the biggest highlight of their week. To be part of this is incredibly exciting, particularly on the women’s side . I worked on a number of LFC women’s deals to help raise the profile, and much needed commercial income for the team, which was hugely satisfying.
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