Rachel Barlow
Reason for nomination:
As a player who plays in a league in Northern Ireland where attendance at women’s games isn’t that high, I set out to make a positive difference. After playing with my university team and making connections through leagues, I joined a sporting media team. I volunteer my time and effort attending women’s matches, running the social media to promote women’s football and help grow the sport in this country. I film pre and post match interviews and set up the NI women’s football show, aired on TV which sees two female football players talk about their experiences each week. The growth in attendance at female matches sky rocketed last season and I hope I can continue to contribute to that change. I also volunteer my time to coach an under 10s girls team which I assisted to establish last year, to see kids get experience at a young age which will only see them grow with confidence. I endeavor to find opportunities to help develop the women’s game and for female footballers like myself to be seen.