As the exposure of women’s football is on the rise, it has created greater interest as-well as establishing firm club rivalries, mirroring the men’s game with comparable levels of social media attacks.
In March 2023, Ellen White released her debut autobiography, UNFINISHED, inspired by a recent YouGov survey. In it, she joins a campaign aimed at addressing the growing number of girls who abandon their sports dreams due to the impact of online hate.
The autobiography, UNFINISHED by Ellen White is designed to demonstrate the impact online hate can have on girls realising their sporting ability.
Ellen White was 16 when she applied for a scholarship for potential England players at Loughborough University with the FA Football Development Programme. Shortly after the interview, she was told by a panel that it was not in her future to be a part of the England Senior team. That moment sparked a fire within her to prove them wrong. White went on to change clubs and schools, determined to continue her education while pursuing her sporting journey simultaneously.
She used that as motivation, not only helping the Lionesses win the Euros at Wembley in 2022, but also going on to become England Women’s all-time record goal scorer.
During the 2022 Euros, White scored in just one of the tournament’s games. Shortly after, a social media campaign gained traction, calling for White to be replaced by Alessia Russo, who had scored four goals as a substitute. This criticism was difficult for White to ignore. However, she found a way to cope by stepping back from social media, allowing her to fully focus on her performances, play for the Lionesses, and become the best version of herself during major tournaments.
Ellen discovered that the key to overcoming hate is identifying what works best for you and learning how to navigate it, ensuring it doesn’t impact your performance or your overall well-being.
“Online hate isn’t just words on a screen; it breaks and stifles potential. Through my own story, I hope to shed a light on the impact of cyberbullying and empower girls so they never stop doing what they love.”
Fortunately, the hate White received didn’t drive her to quit her footballing journey. However, in her autobiography, she reflects on what it might have been like if she were a player in today’s climate, where online hate is more prevalent than ever.
“If it is stepping over the mark in terms of online abuse, I think that’s too much. I think there’s no need for that. It’s exciting and important to support, to have that fan base with your club and have that sense of rivalry but obviously it needs to come with boundaries.”
A YouGov poll commissioned by mobile network EE revealed that 121 girls aged 13 to 19 in the UK give up on their sporting dreams every day due to the impact of online hate, with 44% of girls experiencing such abuse. This troubling statistic highlights the far-reaching consequences of harassment, not only affecting those targeted but also fostering a culture of hate that discourages the next generation from chasing their aspirations. In today’s world, social media makes everyone an easy target for cruelty, and that is a harsh reality.
“It could have been me, which is another reason why I wanted to do this. Social media didn’t really exist when I was growing up and I feel like, if that was me now, having to experience that, I might not have carried on my sporting journey. It might have been too much for me.”
Ellen White’s story is a powerful reminder of resilience in the face of adversity. By sharing her experiences, she hopes to inspire young girls to continue pursuing their dreams, no matter the obstacles, and to combat the culture of online hate that threatens to hold them back.
