By Femi Adedeji
Women’s football doesn’t often get the recognition it deserves but in
New Cross at least that looks all set to change. 15 year old Kerry-Anne
Gee is on a mission.
Having spent the last 8 years as a Millwall Lioness, the young, gifted
centre forward is set to progress to the reserves (one of the youngest
girls ever to do so) next season and her steely determination could
well take her all way to the top.
For the time being however, Kerry-Anne has been chosen to embark on
an exciting venture to fly the flag for Great Britain at a European Street
League Festival.
From May 20th to 24th, the town of Foča in Bosnia and Herzegovina will
once again play host to the second European Street Football Festival - a
unique event in the field of Development through Football.
International
24 teams from 16 nations representing organisations from across Europe will
come together to present their work and celebrate the contribution of
football to social development. Every participating organisation uses the
power of football to promote sustainable social development in
their communities.
Each team consists of four male and four female street footballers aged 14-
18. Players are accompanied by delegation leaders, one coach and one
young leader per team.
Team
Kerry Anne joins 7 other promising UK based footballers all chosen by the
Charity Street League (who work to help transform the lives of disadvantaged
young people and adults in the UK using the power of sport) to
attend the event run by Streetfootballworld (social profit organisation
that links relevant actors in the field of Development through Football.
Established in 2002, the organisation encourages global partnerships for
development in order to contribute to positive social change).
The teams will bring their skills – (athletic and social) – to workshops
designed to encourage intercultural understanding and a Fair Play tournament.
Kerry Anne spoke of her excitement at being asked to take part: “I’m really
looking forward to it. It’s a fair play tournament and we play in the same
team as the boys.”
The tournament certainly promises to be interesting for the young centre
forward who topped the goal scoring charge for the Lionesses this season
and admires Barcelona star Lionel Messi.
Kerry Anne eventually hopes to gain a scholarship and play in America
but not before some unfinished business at Millwall. “After the
reserves I hope to make it to the first team. As for her ultimate goal, “I’d
love to play for England someday.”Judging by her success so far, you
wouldn’t bet against her going all the
way.
The Gate Post May 09.pdf
