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.
Recent Articles
Breaking Boundaries with Nana Kwame Ankomah and Muhammad Mailk TKO Boxing Barking and Dagenham
We speak to Nana Kwame Ankomah and Muhammad Malik our Barking and Dagenham...
Sporting Equals partner with Comic Relief and NET to support BAME-led organisations worst hit by Covid-19
Sporting Equals Partner with Sport England to support Tackling Inequalities Fund Distribution
Breaking Boundaries with Rob Deeks and Aik Saath
Today we speak to Rob Deeks from Breaking Boundaries' partner community...
Breaking Boundaries in Barking and Dagenham with Aidan Elmore!
We speak to Breaking Boundaries local Ambassador Aidan Elmore about the...
How Breaking Boundaries host Edgbaston Foundation has helped to #FeedBirmingham
Birmingham's Breaking Boundaries host, Edgbaston Foundation partnered with...
Prize Draw Terms and Conditions Golf Survey
CEO Statement: Racism in the Sport Sector
Our CEO - Arun Kang OBE reflects on the initial findings of our racism in sport...
CEO Sporting Equals Statement: Equality of Opportunity in the Sport Sector
Our CEO Arun Kang OBE, explores the lack of equality of opportunity in the...
CEO Arun Kang OBE Statement on Intersectionality
Given our recent statement for 20% BAME leadership targets in sport. We wanted...
Densign White Statement on BAME Leadership in Sport
We speak to Densign White - Former Chair British Judo, Chair Sporting Equals...
Arun Kang OBE Statement on BAME Leadership in Sport
Our CEO Arun Kang OBE reflects on the persistent issue of racial bias and...