The Reading Chronicle
The reading Chronicle have written an article about ABC Kick!
A TENACIOUS footballer is hoping to give young girls the opportunities she never had by starting her own business.
Nicole Barrett has been fortunate enough to represent Chelsea and Oxford United, but her early memories of playing sport made it hard for her to break onto the professional scene.
It was only when she travelled to America, picking up a number of trophies along the way, that she realised she could make a difference and inspire young girls to follow in her footsteps.
She said: “When I was younger there were not many options for girls. They were always boy’s teams and people would look at you differently if you said you wanted to play football.
“By the time I got to secondary school it was even harder. I didn’t let it dishearten me.
“I continued to play and ended up playing for Chelsea at the age of 15.”
A launch event for young children was held in Woodley on Sunday to spread the word for ABC KICK and it is hoped that more primary school children will be given access to free sessions in the near future.
During her time in the States, Nicole’s eyes were opened to the opportunities that she could have had when she was welcomed with open arms by a number of coaches.
“There was a huge sense of a community in America and there is much more encouragement for young girls,” she added.
“I was seen as this great role model out there and that is something that I wanted to replicate back in Reading. My greatest passion is seeing children not only succeed, but do it with a smile on their face.
“I want to be able to make a difference to young people and give them the belief that they can achieve. I want every player I coach to achieve more than I ever did.”
Click the link at the bottom to read the full story!
