Nikita Parris aims to use Euro 2022 to show ‘pathway’ for ‘representation’ open at elite level

Nikita Parris is determined to impress at Euro 2022 this summer, for more than just the obvious reasons.

Of course, with England one of the favourites, there will be huge expectation on the side’s biggest players to perform and secure glory on home soil.

But Parris, 28, also wants to show younger girls and women that they can achieve their dreams no matter their background or the challenges facing them.

The 65-cap attacker has spoken about a relative lack of representation of Black athletes within the Women’s Super League at present, despite clear strides made on that front compared to when she was a youngster herself. And that’s where she feels being on the big stage can play a meaningful role in helping to show the “pathway” remains available and open to those who want to follow her career trajectory.

“[When I was growing up] I didn’t feel like when I watched games that there were many black women playing in the league and there’s still not today. There’s less than 12% currently playing in the league,” she said on the Reign with Josh Smith podcast.

“So I know how young women, young black women feel growing up in today’s world because there’s not much representation at the highest level, where they see a pathway or they feel a sense of, ‘I can attain that dream.’

“But for me, that’s the challenge off the pitch for me to help make sure that they do feel that there’s a pathway and they have an opportunity to have those role models to be able to look up to and to aspire to feel like they’re walking in the same footsteps. You know, I remember watching Rachel Yankey… so there were players out there that I could look up to, but it was only a handful. Plus I could name them probably off both hands. So for me, it’s important