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'Why can't I play football? - check out a new book by sports writer Helen Summers
27 October 2019
New book by Helen Summers tells the story of a young girl who wants to play football in verse
Sarah is a young girl with a dream. All she wants to do is play football but when the boys in the park tease her and tell her she cannot play, she does not know where to turn.
Sound familiar?
The character of Sarah may be fictional, but she very much comes to life in a new book by sports journalist, Helen Summers,
'Why can't I play football?" is a new publication, written in verse and accompanied by bright supporting illustrations. The story explores how Sarah's mum finds a way of helping her learn from the experience. After doing some research, her mum shows her that anything is possible when she puts her mind to it.
"I had the idea for the children’s book about a year ago as I wanted to encourage young girls to follow their dreams of becoming a footballer," said Helen.
"I have always been a fan of writing fiction but this was the first idea I really believed could be made something. When I was younger, I would have had no idea you could become a footballer as a girl and in the changing climate I believe it is so important all children realise they can become anything they want."
Alongside working for one of the country's top sports media companies, Helen also runs The Women's Football Magazine, focusing on the women's game in the UK from grassroots through to the Lionesses.
Working in a male dominated industry and campaigning for a more balanced coverage of men's and women's sports in the UK media, she began to create the Why can't I...? series of books aiming to encourage all children to explore ways to follow their dreams.
"Writing is such a fantastic release from the world and as a child I could always be found with a book in my hand," explained Helen, who in 2013 also set up The Women’s Football Magazine in 2013 to cover all aspects of the game right up from grassroots.
"The idea that I could now inspire children is so important to me and I hope that there are children out there who enjoy the book."
'Why can't I play football? is published by Olympia Publishers and priced at £5.99. It is available on Amazon and Kindle too.
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When I was younger, I would have had no idea you could become a footballer as a girl and in the changing climate I believe it is so important all children realise they can become anything they want."
Helen Summers
Sports journalist & author