Sibling Success
Teagan and Leon, London
Teagan (16) and Leon (14) are brother and sister who both play for Arsenal - Arsenal Women U16s and Arsenal U14s respectively.
Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your football life?
Teagan: My name is Teagan. I play for Arsenal Women U16s, training three times a week, including a half day release from school. I also play for my school team and a boys team at the weekend.
Leon: My name is Leon. I play for Arsenal U14s, which usually means travelling from Hertfordshire to Walthamstow three times a week for training and on Sundays for matches. That also includes a half day release on Thursdays.
What has your football journey been up until now?
T: I started playing football relatively late – switching from gymnastics in year five. I played grassroots football for a year before going to an Arsenal Development Centre and then was fortunate enough to get through to the Academy set up after a trial at the end of that season.
L: I first went to the Hale End Academy at Arsenal from the age of 5, after being scouted in an open kids training session. Before that I used to go to the local Little Kickers sessions.
What did you try to show with the photos? Was there any wider meaning?
T: One of the photos shows me practising a bit of freestyle in the garden. Three years earlier my dad scoffed at me saying he would give me £20 if I did 20 keepy-uppies. He said I would never do it. Two weeks later, I was £20 richer and now my record for keepy-uppies is over 500!
We also showed photos of moments throughout the season. There was my first run out for a local boys team (London Colney Magpies U14s) on a Sunday morning, where I was very nervous and excited. And then a great day at MK Dons when I scored a last minute winner for the girls to win 2-1. You can also see that Leon likes to take a football everywhere he goes!
L: The photos show us playing football everywhere we go - on holiday with our family, at training, out and about with friends, in the local park. Everywhere! We have put astroturf down in our garden so we can play in all weather conditions. There is also a fun place in Potters Bar where you can play - the goals are wired so you can play different football games.
What is your favourite photo?
T: I really like the photo of playing outdoors in the snow. It was great because I just decided to go out and practise my shots, even though it was snowy!
L: We took photos in a Welsh village during a really enjoyable walk in the countryside with my uncle and aunt's dog Woody (sadly not in the photo!).
What are the opportunities for women and girls to play football in your community?
T: Where we live is great for women’s football as there are loads of girls teams at grassroots level and also at a higher level. Football is a team game so it is great for making friends outside school and of course for keeping fit.
Why is football important to you and your community?
T: Football is important to the community as it is the best way to meet new people and make new friends that you otherwise would not meet. This is true for both parents and kids, as often the parents will stay friends even after the kids are playing elsewhere!
L: I showed some of the older boys training at Arsenal. I take inspiration from the older boys practising at Hale End. Many have successfully become scholars at London Colney and onto professional football, such as Ethan Nwaneri, Charlie Patino and Omari Hutchison (who is now at Chelsea though!)
What ambitions do you have for the future?
T: I want to win the league and FA Cup with Arsenal!
L: I dream of becoming a successful footballer.
