Most of us will never get anywhere close to the thrill of walking out onto a football pitch with thousands screaming for your team, but you can always try to live vicariously through Goal Click. In a nutshell, the social enterprise mails disposable analogue cameras to players around the world to see what comes back. They’ve ended up with photos of teenage girls playing football in the hulking shadow of Mount Tupopdan in Pakistan, 2019 Women’s World Cup players in pre-training for the match of their lives and elite freestylers pulling spectacular tricks in Chile, India and beyond.
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This year, they’ve handed those trusty cameras to 12 international women’s footballers in the run-up to competing in the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 tournament. The players from England, Austria, Netherlands, Denmark, Portugal and beyond documented their lives in the weeks leading up to the Euros – finishing club seasons, playing in cup finals, national team training camps, international friendlies, and even the first matches of the tournament. If you ever wondered about what goes on behind the scenes of playing for your country, the photos offer an intimate and unvarnished look into the lives of professional footballers, ice baths and all.You can check out a selection of photos below, with words from the footballers themselves.
Lotte Wubben-Moy, England
I am hopeful that the Women’s Euro will leave a legacy that lasts for generations, but for me that legacy should start with the next generation. Kids need to have access to football in schools. I hope that by showcasing the talent, excitement, and passion of women’s football at the top level, it will act as a catalyst for young girls and boys wanting to play football too. The next step then is to provide the opportunity to play. Whatever it takes: investment, time, energy, it needs to be done.
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Nicole Billa, Austria
I wanted to capture the special atmosphere in our Hoffenheim team and the Austrian national team. The atmosphere is always good, and everyone enjoys being together. You also get an impression of where we hang out and what it looks like in our dressing room. It shows what we experience in everyday life as a football player.
Luna Gewitz, Denmark
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Gunnhildur Jónsdóttir, Iceland
The future is bright. The young girls coming up now are amazing, they are talented, brave, humble, have a great attitude and work extremely hard to be their best. After the Euros the focus will be on qualifying for the World Cup.
Rachel Furness, Northern Ireland
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I want to contribute and drive the success of women’s and girls’ football in Northern Ireland beyond my playing days. I want to leave Northern Irish football in a better place than I found it, so I feel I am on my way to doing so.