Sylvia Villa-Echeverria
Reason for nomination:
I love football. It’s a passion I discovered three years ago at the age of 49. I always watched it on TV and since my son started playing I have been watching grassroots Sunday league football for 11 years! Two years ago, I was looking for a team for my daughter and in one of the clubs I saw an ad about women football. I joined, I have never played football before but the connection was instant. I haven’t stopped playing since then. My team join a Sunday league and this is our third season doing it. I was chosen “Most improved player” by my coach. What an archíveme that was for me. My team is amazing, these women share loads of similarities, we are all mums that love playing the beautiful game. Last Summer I did the introduction to coaching course and this season, I’m coaching my daughter’s U14’s team. It is so rewarding, I love playing the game but I think I love more seeing the girls loving it, playing it and enjoying it. Giving them the opportunity to be part of a team, challenging themselves, learning new skills and having these friendships that will last for ever it’s even more special. I want to carry on improving myself, I’m planning to apply for the next coaching course this summer. Help my girls develop their game and carry on playing football, I absolutely love it!!!! I think this will inspire other women to join the game!