Writings by me

It’s so exciting to live in a time where women’s football is a ‘thing.’ Yes, unfortunately we lost to Spain yesterday, but ultimately we’ve gained a lot for our kids.

Ya know the first thing I wanted to do after the game? Me, a 34 year old woman with a penchant for merchandise and a passion for inclusion. I wanted to buy a shirt and wear it with pride. Not just any shirt though, the Mary Earps goalkeeper shirt.

Yet unfortunately. there was no way of doing that, because Nike (official kit suppliers) have not created a replica. Now I’m an adult with a fair understanding of how society works, of how inclusion is a slow burner and how despite the progress, there are still glaring inadequacies.

Imagine though, your daughter waking up today, having seen such an incredible penalty save (which saved us from losing total hope until the end) and having seen her hero lift the golden glove. She wants Mary’s name emblazoned across her back, and she wants to get in the garden and practise her saves, maybe even join the local football club because she knows she could possibly do it herself one day.

Only to find on looking, that there is no such thing as a Mary Earps replica goalie shirt. Alongside the crushing disappointment, what is the message she gets? For me, it’s annoying, but I’ll probably also be happy with the blue away jersey, without a name on the back. For an 8-year-old? It’s gutting and the question is why? Why can my brother wear his favourite goalkeeper’s replica shirt, and I can’t?

Flip it, and her brother is also probably thinking the same, except it hurts less because he can put HIS shirt on. The message is still there though; I can wear my favourite footballer’s shirt, my sister can’t, men’s football must be more important. Couple that with likely being familiar with the sight of Prince William at men’s matches yet noticing his absence at the Women’s World Cup Final and the message is reinforced. It’s not a crazy leap from that message to ones we still hear from female coaches of abuse and sexism.

Nike issued a statement yesterday suggesting a U-turn and solutions for future tournaments…likelihood is they’ve recognised the commercial potential of such a solution, rather than having any moral lightning bolt moment. For now, it’ll take a lot more than this U-turn to change the message. For us parents though it’s a teaching moment; I’ll be chatting to Fred about it today and highlighting its unfairness. For now, though I’ll be adding a shirt to my Christmas list and hoping, foolishly, that the price will come down before then.