13 February 2020

England and Arsenal player Leah Williamson on preparing for life after football and her Olympic dream

England and Arsenal star Leah Williamson has said she has always dreamt of becoming an Olympian.

Williamson is available for Phil Neville's Team GB squad for the Tokyo Olympics this summer and will be hoping to make the cut.

Speaking to City A.M., she said: It’s always easier to work hard and be driven and know what you want to do when you’ve got something like that [the Olympics] in front of you. I’ve always dreamt of being an Olympian so it feels special."

The 22-year-old also spoke recently about the fact that despite female football now being a paid professional occupation, players still need to prepare for another career after retiring.

She added: "I’m under no illusions that I’m not going to be able to retire at the end of my career and be fine for the rest of my life. I will have to work again and maybe that’s where I have come in [to the sport] just a little too early, in terms of hopefully one day these girls will earn enough that they are set for life.

“If a boy signs for an academy aged 16 he is generally set for life. It’s a massive contrast in our game and I’m aware of that. It’s ridiculous to think that once your career finishes you are going to be fine and set.”

Williamson will be hoping Phil Neville picks her for Team GB (PA Images)

But while a post-football career awaits Williamson, at present she is simply grateful to be a full-time athlete as she was leaving sixth form just as women's football turned professional.

She said: “It’s funny, I had a conversation with my dad when I was younger and he told me, ‘By the time you get there, it will be professional.

“That wasn’t even a thing back then. We take it for granted, but it wasn’t. We weren’t laughing it off, but I wonder how many dads would have encouraged their daughters in my position to do that? I’m very grateful for that and it really does feel like I’ve turned up at the right time. 

“Conveniently, the year I finished sixth form at school, at 18, the club went professional, in terms of training full-time. It seems to have all worked out well for me, which I can’t complain about.  

“Everyone wants a piece of women’s football because of the way that it is growing and I’m very grateful to be around now. But I also have to appreciate the journey that others have been on to put me in this position.  

“Look at Alex Scott: she used to work in the laundry [at Arsenal’s training ground], and only now is she really recognised for what she did in football. It’s important to recognise them.”

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