Sheena Ladwa - a cutting edge, fresh face on the music scene, serving up a deliciously tempting slice of RnB/pop to entice our musical appetites. But many will be surprised to learn that this sensational stunner can boot a football harder than most and as England end their World Cup Final adventure, Sheena remembers how she had to make that heart-breaking decision to swap playing for the England footie team for her dream of musical super-stardom…
Girls, footie's a boy's thing right? WRONG! For far too long our boys have held this incredible game too close to their chests, a precious possession that girls just don't enjoy and can never properly understand. But girls all over the UK are kicking back and proving that we have the skills, talent and determination to take our country onto a global platform. Respect to our England ladies who have not only taken our country to dreamy heights at the World Cup 2015, but who have also inspired and liberated an entire generation of ball-crazy girls. I was one of the lucky ones, I had the chance and support to go all the way and was invited to trial for England - a choice had to be made, and I chose music over football, but I want more girls to be given the encouragement to get to the level in football that I did. Here's my story, I hope it inspires!
1996-97… The year that Man United won the premiership with their total points being the lowest ever recorded by the premiership and the mighty Seaman was still in goal for Arsenal!
Wow! It seems like so long ago now, when I discovered my love for studs over stilettos- much to my mum's dismay! I loved all sports, but football was the one that really got my blood pumping, from spectating to participating. The first game I ever saw was my home team, Nottingham Forest VS Everton, and I loved it. The energy at the Forest ground was electric and as a young 8 year old I was instantly hooked. As I'd been growing up, Notts Forest had experienced their most successful period ever under the management of Brian Clough, winning the League, back to back European Cups, four league cups and two full members cups and I was finally watching them play live. To experience that incredible feeling inspired me to get on that pitch too.
But for me, the actually physical participation all started with a simple kick about on the street where we lived. Being unwillingly coerced into weeding our never ending garden by my family on a hot summer's day, I quickly turned my attention to the excitement of that ball being booted around by my mates on the street. Never had I anticipated the thrill of that game and never will I forget it.
The street kick-abouts very quickly led to playing for the girls team at school and fast accelerated a gear as I was recruited onto the Wollaton Ladies FC in Nottingham, where I played for the wonderful game for over 2 years. I loved being out on that pitch with rest of them, I had the speed, determination, and wasn't phased by taking a kicking and having grass stains embedded on my knees for a couple of days! I loved it! Tuesday's were training nights at Wollaton FC and Sunday's were game days. Gosh! We were half decent too.
At that time though, the perception of women's football was so different, almost like a 'how can women play a men's sport?' mentality. There was very little respect or regard and it's probably one of the reasons that led me to choose music over football.
On the day that I was invited to the England Under 21 try outs, I also had the opportunity to sing at a big open air festival to 40,000 people. I chose music and have never looked back since. I now own 50 pairs of stilettos and no studs…how times change hey?!
What's been amazing to see though is how women's football has come so far.
In 1999 the ladies World Cup had 16 teams in the competition with almost 1.2 million tickets sold. In 2002, the release of Bend it Like Beckham put women's football firmly onto the sporting map and if we look at what's happening today in this very moment?!! It's amazing! The England Women's team made it all the way through to the Semi Finals of the World Cup, with the quarter final game against Canada being watched by a staggering 10.7m people! Incredible when you think that the men's team have only ever made it as far as the quarter finals…..Just saying!
So whilst music is most definitely my first love and I'm 'Moving On' from my footballing days (although I never stop supporting the Forest and have high hopes for a promotion at the end of next season), I still have the utmost respect for these women who have persisted and fought for a sense of equality! They most certainly are reaping the fruits of their labour. Long live women's football!
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