Student Profile: Sue Smith

Sports Studies

Graduates: 2009

Not many Premiership footballers can say they scored a goal on their international debut. Even fewer can boast putting one past Germany! But that was how a 16-year-old Sue Smith burst onto the international women’s football scene in 1996 – and she hasn’t looked back since.

For Edge Hill graduate Sue Smith, sport has been her life for as long as she can remember. As a football-mad child she was constantly in the park kicking a ball about with the boys, and even made the school team. This was when she realised being a female footballer was not going to be an easy ride.

Sue says: “I was allowed to train with the boys but I wasn’t allowed to play in any competitive matches because I was a girl. It was very frustrating – for me and the boys, because I was a good player – but those were the rules and I had to accept them. However, it only made me more determined to succeed in women’s football.”

At 14, Sue was signed by Tranmere Rovers Ladies which proved a tough initiation into football at club level.

“There was no youth structure like there is now so I was thrown in with the adult players at 14 years old,” explains Sue. “I think my years of mucking in with the boys was good preparation! It made me pretty strong and, although playing for a professional club at such a young age was daunting, I was able to hold my own from the beginning.

“My parents were, and still are, very supportive and helped me fit my schoolwork around training and matches. I was so dedicated to football I didn’t really go out like other teenage girls, I spent all my free time training, which I think secretly pleased my mum and dad!”

It was Sue’s parents who also encouraged her to keep up her studies. “They had faith in my sporting abilities but wanted me to have something to fall back on just in case,” says Sue. “I was only interested in one subject so the degree in Sports Studies at Edge Hill was ideal. Being a local girl, I knew Edge Hill had some of the best sporting facilities in higher education so I was confident I could continue my training there.”

In her first year, while her fellow students were getting used to being away from home and enjoying campus life, Sue was selected to play for England in the UEFA European Women’s Championship, which meant leaving her studies and jetting off to Germany.

Sue says: “It was exciting but I was worried about how I would fit in my university work as well, but Edge Hill were so accommodating and all the staff were prepared to help me whenever I had a competition. I even took an exam abroad! It was hard to do both but Edge Hill was incredibly supportive.

“That’s one of the reasons getting an Honorary degree means such a lot to me. I couldn’t have achieved so much without the help I got from the University. I’m really looking forward to the ceremony - especially as I missed my actual graduation back in 2003 as I was away with the England team!”

Now playing for Leeds Carnegie Ladies, Sue is one of England’s most successful women’s football players with 74 international caps and 14 goals. She has twice been voted Nationwide International Player of the Year and was the sole England representative in the FIFA XI vs USA showpiece match in 1999.

Alongside her playing career, Sue is also building up a reputation as a bit of a media star. She has commentated on women’s games for BBC Sport and Sky Sports and recently worked with Wayne Rooney, presenting the player’s “Street Striker” series.

“Kids have played football on the street for generations – and that’s where both Wayne and I initially honed our skills. It was a great programme to work on - some of the kids had truly amazing skills – and Wayne was a lovely guy, really down to earth and great with the kids.”

Sue is also an active member of Sport England’s Sporting Champions programme, which encourages young people to get fit and play sport. Sue is one of 30 world-class athletes, including Olympians and Paralympians, who give up their time to visit schools and communities, inspiring children to participate in sport.

She added: “I’ve got such a lot out of sport so I wanted to pass on my experience and show what can be achieved. Not everyone is going to have a professional career or play for their country, but through sport young people can build confidence, learn skills and make new friends.

“I know kids have a lot of other options like computer games, social networking and TV now but it makes me sad when I see empty parks and playing fields on a lovely day. If I can inspire one child to get out there and play sport, then it’s been worthwhile.”

With the England Women’s team recently climbing to ninth in the world rankings (their highest ever placing) and the 2009 European Championship Finals in Finland to look forward to in August 2009 the future is looking good for women’s football.

A new FA ruling in May saw 17 international players, including Sue, awarded central contracts, meaning women footballers will be paid to play for their country for the first time.

Sue said: “It seems unbelievable that it’s taken until 2009 for this to happen but it’s a massive step for women’s football. Until now many players were struggling with full-time jobs and families as well as their football commitments. These contracts not only mean we can focus more on playing and training but we will also get adequate rest periods between tournaments.”

Despite her success to date, Sue still has some footballing ambitions left. She is hoping to be selected for the World Cup finals in Germany in 2011 and aims to reach 100 caps for England before she retires.

“I hope to be playing football for a while yet,” adds Sue, “but if I can’t I always want to be involved in the sport, either coaching, commentating or promoting it. I can’t imagine life without football!”