The Swiss international explains why she became involved in the club’s Beyond the Goalposts initiative.
I also want to be a role model for the next generation, says the Liverpool forward Aurélie Csillag about why she is involved in an initiative being launched by the club in October.
Beyond the Goalposts aims to give black and marginalised girls and women pathways and opportunities in football on and off the pitch. Sessions begin on 1 October, but people can register their interest at any time.
We can improve women’s football for black people.
The sessions are concentrated on leadership, mentoring, health and wellbeing, community engagement and advocacy. Premier League funding is helping run the programme.
Research provided by Liverpool found that girls as young as five feel they do not belong in sport and only 30% of parents believe playing sport is important. The research also found that despite 60% of black girls wanting to be an athlete, they are the least active group of girls in England.
When asked why she believed black and marginalised girls and women may be deterred from playing football, Csillag said: “The part is a lack of role models. Maybe also not being able to access it.”
“They [also might be] struggling with their confidence.”
The club says for now the programme is just for people in Liverpool, but is something they would like to expand.
For Csillag, it starts at the top.
If you would like to get involved with Liverpool’s Beyond the Goalposts, you can register interest here.
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