Mya Imani: “I love developing players”

This International Women’s Month, we’re highlighting the amazing work our staff do within the Community department at Arsenal. Today we hear from Mya Imani, who speaks about her coaching ambitions, why Serena Williams is an inspiration and how she’s seeing the impact of Arsenal Women’s growth on a local level.

What is your job and what does it entail?

I am currently involved as a sessional community coach with the Arsenal Premier League Kicks programme. This role entails working with fellow coaches to deliver engaging projects for children in the local community and schools. I particularly enjoy attending sessions and getting involved with the participants, whether we’re discussing football or other topics.

Tell us a bit about your journey to your current role?

I began my journey with the PL Kicks sessions about ten years ago as a participant. It was an ideal outlet for me because it offered more football opportunities outside of school, which were limited at the time. I loved the various football-related activities and really enjoyed the off-pitch opportunities. Then I started taking on leadership responsibilities during the sessions, which was something I thoroughly enjoyed. When the opportunity arose to return as a coach, I knew I had to seize it.

Where do you want to be in five years?

I see myself pursuing a career in sports management or sports marketing. Both of these fields are of big interest to me, and I believe I have the potential for a successful career in either one. But I also want to continue coaching because I enjoy it a lot and love developing players. So one of my ambitions is to strike a balance between working in sports management or marketing and my passion for coaching.

I’ve always loved sport, ever since I was young. Playing various sports has been a big part of my life and I’ve never really considered pursuing a career in anything else. I believe in following my passion and doing something I love, which is why working in this industry has always appealed to me. 

Why is International Women’s Month important to you?

It serves as a crucial time to recognise and celebrate the achievements of women across all spheres of life, from the extraordinary to the everyday. Highlighting the contributions of women in various fields helps to raise awareness about their importance and impact on society. It’s a time to honour the resilience, strength and accomplishments of women and to acknowledge the progress that has been made towards gender equality while also recognising the work that still needs to be done.

Who has inspired you? 

Serena Williams is an inspirational figure, not just for her remarkable achievements in tennis but also for her advocacy for equality and social justice. Her dedication, resilience and ability to overcome challenges have made her a role model for many, even beyond the boundaries of sport. Her commitment to using her platform to speak out on important issues, particularly regarding gender and racial equality, underscores her impact and influence as a role model.

What’s your favourite sporting memory?

Winning the Sports Person of the Year award in secondary school was a defining moment for me. It came as a pleasant surprise, and receiving recognition for my sporting achievements felt great. 

This memory holds a special place in my heart as it not only celebrated my individual accomplishments but also highlighted the support and encouragement I received from my school community.

How amazing is it to see Arsenal Women sell out Emirates Stadium in successive games?

I think it’s an amazing achievement. The progress in the women’s game is great to see, and the support the team is getting is so well deserved. You can see the impact the team is having at our sessions as well, with more participants supporting the team and talking about their favourite players.