Mention the name Lauren Hemp, and people will instantly flock to memories of the City winger terrorising WSL defences, or her star performances during the Lionesses’ run to becoming European Champions, three years ago.
What people may not pick up on, is her incredible off the pitch work, for occasions such as International Women’s Day, and more recently, opening a new pitch in her name, where she first played football.
Hailing from North Walsham, Norfolk, Hemp has always spoken fondly of her roots in the leafy outskirts of Norwich.
Hemp’s first time playing football was for North Walsham Town FC, before moving to the Norwich City Centre of Excellence. From then her career has blossomed and has gone from strength to strength.
When the Lionesses took on Ireland at Carrow Road in the Summer, the crowd turned out, majorly in support of Hemp. Two weeks after the game at the end of July 2024, Hemp opened a pitch in her name at The Nest, a sports ground at the heart of the community in Norfolk.
Speaking on Norwich City’s Website, Hemp said:
“This area has a very special place in my heart. I first started playing locally with a boys’ team at North Walsham Town FC for a couple of years when I was about nine before I moved to Norwich City Girls’ Centre of Excellence. I’m so pleased to see that the next generation of girls in the area will have the best chance possible to follow their own football journeys thanks to the amazing facilities here at The Nest.”
“It’s been brilliant to meet all the players today and hear how much the Lionesses’ success has meant to them all. I feel so proud of the whole team for inspiring women and girls to play football.”
Away from the pitch, to mark International Women’s Day this year, Hemp joined Manchester City’s official charity, City in the Community, to share messages of empowerment with young girls.
Laid out on a table before Hemp was a selection of mood boards and poems created by participants of the City Girls section of City in the Community. The mood boards and poems reflected how the youngsters felt being a female in sport and what empowered them.
In a video on the official Manchester City website, Hemp looked at the work that was created in adoring fashion and left comments on each one.
The girls were then told that Hemp had looked at their work, prompting some heartwarming responses from two participants.
Participant one said:
“I think it was inspirational and it made me feel good that a footballer has looked at my work and just to keep on going no matter how big of a mistake I have made.”
Another participant added:
“I think that video was inspirational, and it made me feel good about myself knowing a Lioness has looked at my work.”
Hemp was part of the team that were runners up in the 2023 World Cup Final against Spain, which was overshadowed by an unsolicited kiss from Luis Rubiales in the aftermath of the final.
Hemp and many of her fellow Lionesses showed solidarity with Hermoso and stood firmly against Rubiales. Speaking to Sky Sports, Hemp spoke on the situation.
“It’s horrible to see. As a group of players, we want to show our solidarity. It’s important we stand with them, and whatever decisions the Spain players have to make.”
“We’re always going to support them – it’s not fair. They don’t deserve this. They deserve to be recognised for what they did at the World Cup.”
“It’s important we show our respect, things like that shouldn’t happen, and it’s important that it is recognised. We want to help the women’s game grow – this is not what you need to do that.”
Hemp has shown that you can use your platform for good and to fight for what is right.
A true inspiration off the pitch, and a talented superstar on it, Hemp is a wonderful example of how a footballer is bedded into the heart of their community, using her platform for good and social change.
https://www.mancity.com/citytv/womens/lauren-hemp-and-citc-mark-international-womens-day-63846626
