RGSG Dubai were thrilled to welcome England Professional Footballer, Beth Mead, to the school on Friday. Mead remarked she “was blown away by the reception [she] got from the kids…it felt louder than Wembley”.
The pupils were extremely pleased to get the opportunity to meet such an inspirational sportswoman. The morning began with a fantastic assembly taken by Beth. She then visited RGSG Dubai’s Early Years department where pupils welcomed her with handmade flags. To finish her time at the school, several pupils took Beth on a tour of the school, proudly showing off the facilities.
Beth said “It speaks volumes about how far the woman’s game in England has come when so many children here in Dubai are so knowledgeable about it”. With this is mind she said she sees “no reason why the future superstars of women’s football cannot come from the Middle East”. It is all about changing perceptions, something which until recently has been an issue in the UK. The increasing popularity for women’s football in the UK is increasingly evident with a record number of people (77,000) tuning in to watch the Women’s FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Manchester United last week.
Staff remarked that they “know [Beth’s] involvement with the Enrich Me programme will inspire and encourage [our] students to discover their full potential.”