'I saw the need' - Manchester football coach impacting social change in young girls

Coaching football was not on Layla Ahmed’s radar after suffering through adolescent struggle. She wanted to play football but was condemned by religious and cultural barriers, “And also during that time, it was more difficult for girls to play,” Ahmed started.

“Once I got into high school, I sort of dropped it there because I found it that difficult. Then having my own children, I didn't want them to face those same barriers that I faced, so I'd always look for opportunities for them to play. I have two daughters and a son - they’re all involved in football.

“While I was looking for those activities, I came across my way into coaching. And my daughter’s like me now - she wants to be a coach!”

Women’s football has this uncanny ability to break down barriers, and Ahmed is now doing so in her own corner of Manchester alongside a reputable organisation: “When I was looking for activity for kids, I came across Families Against Violence for the great work that they were doing, but they didn't have many girls, I think there was one or two girls. So I'd stay behind and just have a kick about with them and my daughters as well.

READ MORE: How to order your copy of our new monthly special Women's Football News

“Then I saw the need for them to have that female role model there. So, I started off volunteering and then went and got my coaching badge from there. We've got a good group of girls now so we're looking to maybe enter a league.”

The confidence to step into the competitive football realm for the first time stemmed from a cultural boost seen during the summer's Women's World Cup.

Nouhaila Benzina lit up the stage, making history by lining up for Morocco in a hijab, the first-ever football player to do so. Actively paving