How free football has boosted Yusra’s confidence
Yusra, 16, lives in Brighton and plays in our Premier League Kicks session at the Manor in Whitehawk.
Through Premier League Kicks, we bring free football sessions to high-need communities across Sussex.
Yusra has played football since she was five years old. She has played for her school teams, but never played much outside of school until she found PL Kicks.
“I started coming to PL Kicks about two years ago now,” Yusra said, “I heard about it from a friend who invited me down.
“I came once to see how it was and I loved it, I knew it was something I wanted to do all the time.”
As well as providing her with a place to play every week to improve her game, PL Kicks has helped Yusra off the pitch too.
“Before coming to PL Kicks I wasn’t that confident. Playing here has helped me grow a lot in confidence, and I’ve made a lot of friends here.
“My main coaches here are Sadie, Peter, and Jamie. They’re all really nice, I get along with them and they help me out.”
At Yusra’s session in Whitehawk, dozens of girls can enjoy free football every week. Yusra is also joined at PL Kicks by her 10-year-old sister, Lema.
“I mean she is annoying,” Yusra said, “but it’s nice being able to play with her at home and here too.”
Having played the game for 11 years already, she’s hoping to carry on playing for as long as possible.
“I want to carry on playing. I’m going to college soon and hopefully I can play through college, and when I’m older too.
“Thank you to everyone at the Foundation who runs Kicks for me, my friends and my sister, and to everyone who gives a donation.”
Find out more about Premier League Kicks.
