Sherida Spitse was one our opponents in that game on some hidden field with just about 100 spectators. Yesterday night, I watched the Women’s Champions League game PSG – Ajax, captained by Sherida Spitse, broadcasted on prime time national TV.
This made me super happy and confident, realizing this is inspiring so many young girls and that even the conservative world of football is changing. If even football can do it, it should be easy for the friendly and open-minded world of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math!
Growing up as a young girl playing football, I wasn’t dreaming about playing for Ajax one day and being on TV, because it was simply not a possibility for women to play professionally. My dream was to make it to the national team one day. I played in a boys team in my home village until I was 14 years old, then transferring to a top amateur women’s team. When I was invited to join Roda JC’s new women’s team 2 years after, it really felt surreal and like a big honor. In these early days we did not get paid, we trained 4 times a week and I remember often making my math homework in the bus to away games. After one year the club decided to stop the women’s team again, because it was too expensive. I did not give up my study path at the age of 16 and move away, but instead kept playing as my hobby (and still happy with that decision). Sherida did have the courage to dream big (and probably a little bit more talent), made big sacrifices, and there she is, on my TV screen 14 years later!
Her journey is a great example that with enough courage and dedication, anything is possible. Just like Sherida pursued her dreams, even though they seemed impossible, women in tech must embrace their ambitions with the same boldness. We have the power to innovate, lead and inspire. It might not always be easy, but stories like Sherida’s give me confidence that perseverance and hard work will be rewarded.
Much like in football, women in tech are breaking barriers, leading innovations, and reshaping stereotypes. We are seeing more female leaders in tech companies, women excelling in STEM, and a gradual change in a man-dominated world. Young girls now have female tech leaders to look up to, just as they watch women’s football on prime-time TV, so real change is coming!
Also remember that success does not always come in the way you expect. I fulfilled my childhood dream 9 years ago when I made the national team for ultimate frisbee and I am still very proud to be representing my country and to be a woman in Tech!
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