Lauren Hastie recalls hearing the words, ‘she’s only a girl, you can get past her,’ at just 7-years-old, now, 20 years later she has continued to push aside these connotations and enjoy a career in football.

Growing up in a family surrounded by sport, it was inevitable that Lauren would find an interest in a game too.

In order to find her desired sport, Lauren would try anything, even if it meant she was the only girl on the team.

“I started playing football aged 7 for a local mixed team, I was the only girl at the time which didn’t really faze me at all.

“I remember hearing an opposition manager saying, ‘she’s only a girl, you can get past her’. This didn’t bother me, all I wanted to do at that age was play.

“At the same time, I also played basketball, which I continued for 12 years,” she said.

But aside from these team sports, Lauren also tried her hand at badminton, cross country, athletics, hockey, Latin dancing, and a plethora of other hobbies.

“If there was ever an after-school club, I was there. I just loved it and wanted to be part of everything,” she said.

Lauren loved to be at the centre of the action, forming bonds with her teammates and celebrating the highs and lows of the game.

However, it wasn’t until she reached college and began to learn more on anatomy and physiology that she released she had found her dream path.

“I have always felt the need to help people in one way or another, so becoming a physio combined these two things.

“To see a player injured is never nice, but to be a part of the rehab journey is a great feeling. You see how hard they work and the desire they have to get back on the pitch. This is the reason why I became a sports physio,” she said.

So, Lauren enrolled at The University of Bolton to begin her journey in Sports Rehabilitation. Graduating in 2016, she started volunteering at Curzon Ashton Women FC, a team where she has remained for 6 years.

Image by Oli Biddle.

“This team has been a lifeline for me. The players, the manager, and coaching staff – it really is a family.

“We won promotion last season and now play in the North West Women’s Regional Premier League Tier 5 and to have seen the team progress the way they have makes me so proud to be a part of it.”

Lauren says she feels a part of the team, just as much as the players, a sentiment that is credit to the connection of Curzon Ashton Women.

Maintaining her volunteer position alongside her job at The Bureau in Glossop, Lauren is proof that sport cannot function without dedicated individuals going above and beyond for something they are passionate about.

She says the freedom sport gives her is monumental, allowing her to push aside any worries she may have.

Women’s football has taken huge steps in recent years, partially thanks to the incredible performance of the Lionesses in the summer.

It’s hard to know just how many young girls were touched by seeing these women achieving incredible things, but it is impossible to deny they inspired so many to aim high.

“Since the Lionesses won the Euro, there has been a huge uptake and interest in women’s sport.

“The positive comments have also inspired change, I feel people have really started to take women’s football seriously,” Lauren said.

And this belief is undoubtedly echoed by the plethora of young girls around the world, who finally have icons to look up to who have significant positions in the world of sport.

Whether thousands of young girls aim to be footballers or not, their presence on the pitch proved that anyone can aspire to be anything.

Lauren echoes this and says that in sport you help each other to achieve.

“I love the togetherness that being a part of a team brings, making friends through a common interest is amazing and I have met some great people who I will always stay in touch with.

“I am grateful for having a lot of great memories and achievements throughout playing, and in my physio career, that I will never forget.”

Do you know an inspirational sporting woman in Tameside or Glossop?

Women in Sport is a weekly column which shares the incredible stories of ladies involved in sport across the area. We are always on the lookout for fresh stories to tell. To nominate someone for the column or get involved yourself, please email Katie on katie.catherall@questmedianetwork.co.uk. 

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