Lauren James has launched a scholarship programme for young girls from minority backgrounds in football, aiming to address the lack of diversity in the women’s game by supporting the next generation.

James announced the scholarship on social media, in the form of a letter addressed to the first cohort of LJ10 Scholarship recipients. 

In the letter, she said: “I grew up in a house of football. I was lucky that I had the support of those around me to play and be put in environments where I could succeed. But that success didn't come easy, and I saw girls that look like us fall away, because they didn't have that support.

Now, I'm in a position where I can try to make a bit of a difference. It won't happen all at once, but we need to get more diversity in the women's game and that starts with giving girls like you – who have the talent to succeed – every chance to do so.”

The scholarship launches this month, with recipients getting invaluable access to James’ partners and mentors, as well as the Chelsea star herself as they navigate the early years of their careers. 

Women’s football in England and its lack of diversity has been put under the microscope recently. All-white squads received backlash in the media and the Lionesses’ homogenous setup has been starkly compared to the England men’s side. 

With only a handful of POC in the WSL, James has become one of the leading faces for Black girls and women in football in England, so it’s only right that she uses that platform to support the sport’s future trailblazers. Here’s to more efforts to change the game in the future, not just from players, but football associations, too.

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