Great Britain preformed incredibly in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, making it to the quarter finals in women’s football before just losing out to Australia.

This women’s team has been an exceptional set of role models for young footballers, proving to young women that they are more than capable of achieving their dreams.

A local teen who lives and breathes football is 17-year-old Louisa Childs from Droylsden. Her passion began when she was just a child, kicking a ball around her garden with her father and attending regular football games.

Louisa soon found that she was destined to play the sport herself and now represents Droylsden U18 girls.

“For as long as I can remember I have always loved fitness. I loved to swim and play hockey as a child and if I was not playing football then I’d definitely still be doing one of those sports.

“This love of fitness has always come naturally for me because it’s a way of clearing my head and forgetting about things that take over my mind,” she says.

Louisa grew up in a Liverpool loving household. She would watch the team play and be taken away by their hard work and drive, inspired by this she decided to dedicate her time to working hard at her sport.

Watching this team play, Louisa found a role model in Steven Gerrard, ‘I love the way he led the team and took charge of what he needed to do.’

She is now currently undertaking a City in the Community programme and loves having the chance to play with her college.

“Getting into college and being able to be on the football team in the Manchester City kit will always be an achievement for me.

“Not a lot of people would get the opportunity to be a part of the programme and wear the kit of a big club like that,” she says.

But Louisa’s journey hasn’t always been plain sailing in sport, suffering from injuries and seeing the negative effect that they can have on performance in the long run.

“I used to play badminton also and the hardest challenges are injuries as they can stop you playing for weeks, months and sometimes years.

“I’ve had sprained ankles from badminton which kept me out of the sport for a while and I’ve had injuries from football too.

“When you are unable to do something you love it’s hard, all you want to do is go and train but that injury stops you,” she explains.

Louisa is planning to continue with her football journey for as long as she can, using the sport not only as a way to do something she loves, but also to keep her mind in the best state.

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