Regarding the topic of diversity in sports, it is important that there is a platform for women to showcase the positive aspects of an accepting and welcoming diverse community and environment in everyday life. When a team is composed from a perspective that celebrates individuality and diversity, this creates a safe space and encourages anyone to follow their sporting dreams.
However, this is not always communicated enough through the media. There are many different components of a diverse environment, including ethnicity, religion and disability. Whilst these should be more recognised, it is important that everyone should be treated equally, no matter their personal circumstances.
Although the primary focus of this piece is diversity within women’s football, this is a widespread topic that affects all sports in different ways. Regardless of the situation, diversity should always be celebrated and accepted.
Diversity through ethnicity:
One example of how women’s football is becoming more diversely accepted is the Lionesses’ squad. By comparing the current England players, with the former side who appeared in the 2015 Women’s World Cup, it is evident how the squad has become more diverse, perhaps due to societal changes that welcome those of different ethnicities.
In 2015, a twenty-three-player squad represented England on the world stage. Only one of these women, Eniola Aluko, was born outside of England and of a different race. Additionally, all except two Lionesses played club football in their home nation.
However, at present the Lionesses team represents more diverse origins and ethnicities, both on an international and club level. Three members of the team are of a different ethnicity: Khiara Keating, Jessica Naz and Jess Carter. In addition, Manchester United youngster, Maya Le Tissier, was born in Guernsey, making her again the only current Lioness born elsewhere. Regarding club football, six of the current squad play outside of the UK, in countries including France, Spain and the United States of America.
Race should not be taken into account when selecting a squad, but seeing more communities represented within a national team is a positive step in creating a diverse future for the sport. Young people are encouraged more now to dream of playing for their country one day, if they are inspired by the stories of those with similar backgrounds to them who are now seen as stars in the industry. With more players choosing to represent clubs outside of England, there is a stronger diversity in the squad as more cultures and environments are experienced by members of the Lionesses team. This creates the positive message that the national team is accepting of other cultures and backgrounds, providing equal opportunities for everyone and encouraging a diverse selection.
Diversity through religion:
Another element of diversity that is frequently sheltered from the media is religion. Religious representation in sports is something that is not spoken about often by the media, perhaps due to the lack of religious symbols within the sport.
To give an example, last year the press focused on Moroccan defender, Nouhaila Benzina, for being the first player to wear a hijab at a senior women’s international tournament. Wearing head coverings for religious reasons was only authorised by FIFA in 2014. However, at the 2023 UEFA Women’s World Cup Benzina was the first woman to play international football in a head covering, almost a decade after the law was published. Whilst the media showcased an important piece of history through the Moroccan footballer’s story, it leaves the question why no other professional footballer had chosen to wear clothing of religious importance during a major tournament.
Perhaps this is simply due to a lack of openly religious footballers on the international stage, but it could be an indication of the pressures surrounding the ‘typical’ image of a footballer. In some cases, players may feel safer and accepted by blending in with their peers and suppressing their religion, rather than setting themselves aside from others by wearing religious dress. If this is the case in any sport, religion should be celebrated and welcomed as part of everyday life.
Diversity is enhanced by religion, so the expectation of conforming to the traditional image of a footballer and concealing personal beliefs is not something that should be experienced within sports. Benzina is a positive role model for others belonging to a religion, expressing that they have the right to express their beliefs openly, without judgement from others or feeling like they do not belong in the women’s football community.
Diversity through disability:
Another topic that is not spoken about enough in sport is disabilities, especially those hidden from the public eye, and the impact they can have on performance. Two professional footballers who have recently spoken out about their disabilities are Mackenzie Arnold and Hannah Hampton. Despite the struggles they have faced, they promote how everyone should be accepted and treated equally, regardless of their situation.
The former West Ham United keeper, Arnold, wears hearing aids permanently having suffered with hearing loss, yet it took her a long time to come to terms with her circumstances. From the stands, her hearing aids are often hidden and unknown. When questioned, she spoke of the challenges and mental struggle she faced when told she could need hearing aids for the rest of her life. In her words, ‘It was definitely a gradual process I had to get used to, but I love them now.’ After recently speaking out about her journey of hearing loss during her time as a professional goalkeeper, the impact of her disability has become much clearer.
Hampton also suffers from a hidden disability. When she was born, she was diagnosed with an eye condition affecting her depth perception, known as strabismus. During her childhood, she was told she could not succeed in sports due to her sight-threatening condition; however, she was not going to give up on her dream. Now, Hampton plays for Chelsea Women’s FC and made her senior international debut recently. She is another women’s footballer who is the perfect role model for people suffering with a disability. In a recent interview, she opened up about having to rely on British Sign Language (BSL) during matches sometimes, and how this is a routine part of her life. Although the youngster is certain that she does not want her story to be the front-page news, she is an inspiration who proves that anything is capable no matter your circumstances; having a hidden disability can be a challenge, but one that is always possible to overcome.
Therefore, these two goalkeepers are the perfect role models for those suffering with disabilities – especially those sheltered from their peers – who dream of sporting careers in the future. Now they have shared their stories of the challenges they have faced through their hidden disabilities, they set a positive example to the younger generations that anything is possible. Both Hampton and Arnold should be treated as any other footballer; their diversity should be admired, not pitied, or used to set them aside from others.
