International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate and inspire, highlighting the incredible achievements of women around the globe.
Our players continue to be role models for thousands of young girls and boys, but who were the people they looked up to when they were first finding their feet as professional athletes? And who continues to inspire them to this day?
Members of Gareth Taylor‘s squad were asked that exact question ahead of International Women’s Day 2024, and here’s what they had to say…
Yui Hasegawa
For me, it’s Homare Sawa. She was the top scorer when Japan won the World Cup in 2011. She was the best player in the tournament and the final and, because of her, the position of women’s football in Japan went a lot higher. She’s also such a wonderful person off the pitch, so I have a lot of respect for her.
Demi Stokes
A female figure who inspired me was Serena Williams. Obviously, she’s not a footballer but what she’s done for women in sport and what she stands for morally, I think she’s been a great credit to women and young girls.
It doesn’t matter where you come from, your background, who you are or what age you start, you can be great. She’s a tennis player, but if you ask anyone, they’ll know who she is, and that’s a real credit to what she’s achieved.
Steph Houghton
Obviously apart from my mum and grandma I’d probably say Kelly Smith was always my idol. When we were brought up you didn’t get to see many games on TV and you didn’t know you could be what we are now, but she was spoke about all the time and Rachel Yankey as well.
They were the icons at the time and you thought ‘oh my god I want to be there’. They’re amazing people as well, they had a big influence on me in my early career but even when I made that step to England some of things they did back then, I’d still do today.
Bunny Shaw
Someone I looked to growing up was Shelley-Ann Fraser-Pryce. From where I’m from, it’s not easy and some of the stories I’ve heard from her and her background growing up, when I reflect on mine it’s similar.
But to see how she’s striving especially at the age that she’s doing it, I think she’s retiring after this summer which is really sad, but she’s been an inspiration for me for sure. When I see her, sometimes I see myself.
You have to keep moving and pushing forward. She always talks about that and sometimes when I watch her interviews as well, I get goosebumps and motivation from it. Shelley-Ann Fraser-Pryce would definitely be an inspiration.
