As England’s Lionesses made history with their emphatic win over Germany on Sunday, two girls from Brent Schools’ FA watched intently from the edge of the pitch.
Olivia Macarthur, 14, and Keely Dibley-Dias, age 15, were selected to be official Visa ball kids for the historic game which saw their footballing heroes become the champions of Europe.
The girls were nominated by their coach and former West Ham professional footballer, Chris Ampofo.
The dad of three daughters has been championing women’s football for over a decade and inspiring girls across Brent to play the beautiful game. Chris said: “The Lionesses have changed the game forever so I really hope this is the breakthrough moment for girls sport we’ve been waiting for.
“The next generation of Lionesses are playing football with Brent Schools FA and other clubs and most importantly schools. Let’s make sure they’ve got the funding they need to be keep training our girls to be the footballing heroes of the future.”
The girls, who have both played for Brent for several years, began the official Visa ball kid experience several hours before the cameras started rolling at Wembley. They were put up in a hotel the night before the game to get to know each other and to take part in a fun training session on their important role. The next morning they were escorted to the stadium and shown round the pitch before being kitted out in official Visa ball kid sportswear and boots.
Kensal Green resident, Olivia (above), who threw the ball back on to goal scorer Chloe Kelly in the first half said: “It was an experience of a lifetime, and I can’t believe I was actually there.
“I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I would be because I just got lost in the excitement of the game and the atmosphere in the stadium.”
Olivia – who was spotted on TV by her friends and family – added: “Football has been an important part of my life and I love being part of a team. I’d really encourage other girls to think about playing because of the opportunities it creates.”
The Brent Under 12s girls’ team were also on camera after getting up at the crack of dawn the next morning to talk to BBC kids TV programme Newsround. Two of the girls were interviewed on Wembley Way in their Brent kit.
Twelve-year-old Nancy, who was in the stadium to watch the game the night before, told the programme: “When the first goal scored the whole stadium erupted, it was amazing.”
While Under-12 goalie Lois Ampofo said the highlight of the match for her was seeing her hero Mary Earp ‘battling through the rough moments and still carrying on to help England win’.
Anyone interesting in playing football for Brent should contact Chris Ampofo by emailing chris@hpqgroup.com.