People got really caught up on the Go Compare guy and neglected to fully appreciate the talent of this young woman. She sang powerfully and beautifully in front of a crowd of thousands. A real goosebumps moment. I don't know your name, but thank you for your wonderful voice 💙
A man didn't believe I was a football coach because I "don't look like one". To all the girls who love football & dream of playing or working in the beautiful game: keep going! Whatever you look like, you look the part to me 🙌🏿🙌🏻🙌🏾🙌🏽🙌🏼💜⚽️
#EngageEducateEmpower
@WomeninFootball
Released at 8 years old.
Signed but loaned out again and again... and again.
One season wonder.
But can he do it for his country?
Only scores pens.
Dives.
Can't lead a team.
He's heard it all. If anyone can come back from this, it's Harry Kane.
My striker.
My captain.
My hero.
99 years ago a bunch of blokes got a bit flustered by how popular and impressive women's football was, so for the next 50 years they banned women from playing on any pitch owned by their associated clubs. Today there are 3.4 million women and girls playing football in England.
So I'm not England manager - yet - but I am very proud to announce that I am part of this season's FA Mentee Development Programme. I had a wonderful experience at SGP today meeting the other 9 mentees and I'm excited for what's to come! This amazing journey continues... ❤⚽️
This photo is brilliant! Raheem and Mason celebrating in the foreground. Kaz Carney celebrating in the background and then... what are those two doing up there?! 🤣
#EURO2020
We live in a world where football referees are being stood down from their duties for making a mistake and yet rapists and men who beat their partners are allowed to carry on playing the sport...
Tonight I was told (among other things) to "try to keep up" so here's an example of me doing that. I've also got a UEFA B licence but I guess it's just easier to assume I don't really know what I'm on about 🤍⚽️
This year I learnt how to celebrate what is and not lament what isn't. The present is exactly that - a gift. Enjoy it and don't worry about the things or people who don't show up. What is meant for you will not pass you by. Happy 40th birthday to me ✨️
Not your average Friday morning... 😅 An absolute pleasure to appear on
@BBCBreakfast
this morning to discuss the impact 'Bend It Like Beckham' had on me and my career.
"Who cares?"
The MILLIONS of women and girls who play football in this country and all the people (male and female) who support them.
Plus me.
We care ♥️⚽️
Please do better
@BBCSport
. How can you have live scores for men's football in other countries but not for women's football in this country?
And just to save the "No one cares" crew the trouble: I care and I'm someone! 👍
A reminder of the dangers of misogyny in football culture (as with everywhere else in society). Women often bear the brunt of male violence when football results don't go the way some men would like. It's not funny. It's deadly serious.
@RefugeCharity
@womensaid
I no longer coach for free. Doesn't mean I'm better than others or know it all - far from it! I'll always be learning & improving as a coach & person. I've done lots of unpaid volunteering & still offer my time for free on occasion. But the knowledge & skills I have are valuable.
If you are involved in women's and girls' football in any way - player, coach, physio, referee, reporter, agent, photographer, etc - I hope you are enjoying
#WEURO2022
I am so proud of what we've all created together! ❤️⚽️
Shout out to anyone spending tonight alone. I had pizza and cocktails and watched TV. I got all dressed up to do this because I love getting dressed up. Tomorrow isn't promised - do the things you love today. I hope 2022 brings you everything you deserve x
I know what it's like to be told 'no' when it comes to football. That's why it's so important to me to be able to help girls and women enjoy this sport.
I don't particularly like golf. But I would never purposely seek out posts about golf to let everyone know I'm not interested in it. What is it about women's football that attracts such disdain from certain men? Just bizarre. Leave us alone and do something you actually like.
Don't be in a rush to collect certificates - and don't let others rush you. The best coach education happens out there, on the grass, actually coaching, making mistakes, learning what works and what doesn't, then discussing with those you trust. Plan - 𝗗𝗼 - Review (on repeat)⚽️
@BethFisherSport
The speed at which men get aggressive when faced with rejection is actually terrifying. Like, are you really that fragile bro? Urgh. Sorry this nasty man harassed you and your friend, Beth. Well done for calling him out x
Started the year with a certificate I thought I'd never get because a weak man did a bad thing which made me want to quit football forever.
Ended the year accepting a part-time role with the FA to help support female coaches.
This is growth. This is self-care. This is healing.
Coached a group of teenage girls today who are brand new to football. Halfway through I heard one of them laughing as she said, "We're all rubbish at this but it's actually really fun!" 😁❤⚽️
That's why ENGAGE is such a key part of my philosophy: Engage - Educate - Empower 💫
I delivered a presentation yesterday and I didn't umm or err once. Not once! I never thought that would be possible. Next things to work on: pausing between statements for greater impact, and trying not to move my hands about all over the place 😂
One last tweet before I try to sleep. As I was weaving through the crowd earlier trying to locate a group of volunteers, I heard a very polite, "Excuse me, are you Coach Ali?"
Keep going. You never know who is being inspired by your journey ❤️⚽️
A long, but rewarding day at SGP yesterday. I'm excited to start my new role at the FA as Community Champion,
supporting clubs across London to diversify our coaching workforce - encouraging and enabling women in particular to step over the sidelines and use their skills ❤️⚽️
My 9-5 is stressful and forces me to practise resilience every day. I live with anxiety & depression. Kick-ups help me relax after a difficult day by focusing my mind on something I love. Football is beautiful and continues to save me ❤
#EngageEducateEmpower
#WomeninFootball
Making my Twitter account private has meant fewer followers (interestingly, lots of people actually unfollowed me immediately after I changed this setting) - but like I've always said: I'm here for the learning, not the 'likes', and my mental health is my priority.
#Boundaries
Rest in peace, Sabina.
Rest in peace, Sarah.
Rest in peace, Bibaa and Nicole.
Rest in peace all 106 women (at least) who have been murdered by a man (or where a man is the principal suspect) so far in 2021.
You are all newsworthy.
You all deserved to live ❤
End male violence.
All I want for Christmas is you...
...to support women and girls - in sport, science, tech, business, life, the world.
Merry Christmas to all the females out there and to all our male allies. We are stronger together ♥️🎄
I'm still practising telling people my rate and not immediately hiding from my phone afterwards. I have to remind myself that I'm a skilled professional and it's ok to charge people for my time and expertise. I put a lot of unpaid hours into developing my knowledge & delivery.
There are two types of men in this world. Those who have no issue with women celebrating themselves and each other, and those who ask the same question every single year on 8 March. The answer - again - is: 19 November.
Hello to all the male referees and opposition coaches who never shake my hand on matchday. This
#InternationalWomensDay
I'd like you to reflect on why that is and if you'd like to behave differently the next time you encounter a female coach.
#BreakTheBias
Remember that time we beat Everton 6-2 away from home - so, 2-6 - and Poch said it was the universe giving his wife a 26th wedding anniversary gift? Sigh... I miss that guy. The universal energy and the lemons and the incense... all of it.