Arsenal Ladies Captain, Alex Scott, signed for Arsenal at the age of eight and is an inspiration to young women across the globe.
Alex has helped Arsenal to win nine league titles and seven FA Cup’s. She is part of Arsenal’s history after scoring the winning goal in the 2007 UEFA Women’s Cup final against Umea.
Alex has succeeded internationally too with over 100 appearances for the English national team.
Last year, Alex travelled to Iraq to visit a football project funded by The Arsenal Foundation, in partnership with Save the Children. The Foundation funded two artificial football pitches within camps in Khanaqeen, Iraq for children and families who had been forced to flee their homes. The pitches provide youngsters living there with a safe space to play. They offer an escape from some of the difficulties the children face, and the chance to bring some joy to their childhood.
Alex reflects on the trip as she is officially welcomed into The Arsenal Foundation’s line up of inspiring ambassadors:
“The impact that football is having on the children’s lives there is incredible. Having escaped violence and war with only the clothes on their back, football is giving them back a childhood and some normality after everything they’ve been through. The bravery and resilience the kids in the camps show is awe-inspiring and really put things into perspective for me. But beneath the surface, these children have witnessed and experienced terrible atrocities and many have lost loved ones and friends.
By encouraging team work, instilling a sense of achievement and just by having some fun, football is helping them to recover and giving them a chance of a better future. I’m so proud that Arsenal and Save the Children are making such a difference to so many children’s lives. It was truly inspiring to see the power that football can have.
By becoming an Ambassador, I’m delighted to continue my relationship with The Arsenal Foundation. I know what football and the pitches I played on as a child did for me and I want to visit more projects and hopefully inspire more young people. I know now, that these are so much more than just football pitches. In Iraq, the football programme is playing a key role in empowering the girls – building their confidence and encouraging equality amongst all the children and I see that the projects in Jordan, Somalia and Indonesia will continue to use football as a vehicle to empower children to fight for their rights and escape difficult circumstances. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?”
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