Arsenal international female footballer inspires Clapton girls

England and Arsenal ladies footballer Rachel Yankey delivered a one-hour coaching session to enthusiastic young footballers at Clapton Girls Technology School, Lower Clapton on Monday 31 January.

Local football stars of tomorrow were treated to a coaching session with one of England’s most experienced female football players last month.

International player Rachel Yankey is one of only seven players, including David Beckham and Bobby Charlton, to have represented her country 100 times. She plays for Arsenal football club and is part of the squad that will be competing in the FIFA Women’s World Cup this year.

Fifteen girls from Clapton Girls Technology College spent the hour long session with her, honing their skills. Yankey gave the young players advice and tips on their game during drills on passing, ball control, dribbling and shooting.

The school won the opportunity to have a coaching session with Yankey in a competition which forms part of the London Youth Games. Yankey is not only a patron of the games, but she has also competed in the event in the past.

She has spoken of the importance of the games for young people and for local communities: “Young people need a goal and something to focus on – the London Youth Games provides that. It is something to train towards, something to take part in and something really significant to win”.

“To be champions of London really means something. I would urge anyone with even a slight interest in sport to give it a go, it is very competitive, but loads of fun too,” she says.

The competition marked the beginning of Big Kick Off week, during which London boroughs seek to recruit new talent and raise awareness about the Games.