Annie Zaidi - wins The Helen Rollason Award
Sporting Equals Ambassador Annie Zaidi has won the Helen Rollason Award for inspiration at the Sportswomen of the year awards 2015. Praised by countless sporting stars including David Beckham and Les Ferdinand for being “an inspiration to so many people”, Annie has overcome relentless discrimination for chasing her dreams of coaching men's football.
Starting her coaching career with a Sunday League team Annie moved to coach in Brixton after receiving harsh racism and sexism from other managers and parents. Annie became the first South Asian and Muslim woman to complete the level 2 certification badge from the FA.
She now coaches the Leicester City U11s at the Centre of Excellence, recently becoming the organisation's chair in January 2015. Annie is currently working towards her UEFA B license, coaching QPR U21s where she is “telling the boys how it is really done”, after which she has her eyes firmly set on achieving her dreams of coaching Arsenal Men's team.
Described as a feisty and ambitious phenomenon, there is no doubt that Annie and her story will continue to break the mould and inspire girls all of the UK to get involved in football.
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