Friday, 23 December 2016

Yes - It's a 'Contact Sport'

I reckon I'm pretty lucky really. I've been playing sport, and football in particular, for 15 years now;

  • I broke my finger in a match playing with Riverside when I was around eight 
  • I cracked my Pelvis in a match playing with Derby County when I was about thirteen
Anyway, this weekend I added to the list. I had been playing for 15 minutes, and already scored a goal. I went back in for another goal and jumped into the air to give it some welly, I made contact with the ball at the same time a defender came in with a late tackle and literally sent me flying. I landed like a sack of potato's on my lower back - just about caught my shot going into the net though.

I immediately couldn't feel my legs. and was so scared. Fortunately there was another football pitch close to ours, so the match was moved across, to enable me not to be moved. I was covered with space blankets and jackets. An ambulance was called.

Well 2 hours later with many chasing phone calls to 999, and the same response of 'we have no ambulances available', finally an ambulance arrived. It was now very dark, on a football pitch at the top end of a very open field. Even though I had lots of covers over and under me, and my Mum cuddling me to keep me warm, I still had on set of hypothermia.

The hospital Nurses and Doctors were great. After much investigation (8 hours) I was cleared of any fractures, and informed that I had muscular / Nerve damage, but I would be admitted into hospital. A further 12 hours later, there was still no bed available. Eventually with some heavy painkillers and crutches, my Mum took me home to be nursed there - Me and Mum had been up for 40 hours by then, so the thought of going home to our own beds - that were definitely available, was great.

I'm still very sore, but happy that the damage wasn't any worse. I had a couple of days rest, but I've started physiotherapy and Mum is overseeing my stretches and hydrotherapy now, so I won't be out of action for too long.

I was so touched by my friends and family, who were all sending me get well wishes, and visiting me.


Saturday, 10 December 2016

Women in Football

Had a great evening last Tuesday thanks to the 'Women in Football' network group, and especially Shelley Alexander.

We were invited to the wonderfully impressive BBC Broadcasting House for an evening of presentations, networking and awards. 

For starters - I was so in awe of Broadcasting House. When we got there they were preparing for 'The One Show', that was going on-air about an hour later. Staff talking through the shows sequence, whilst technicians scurried around sorting out the set. 

When we went inside, and once we got through the 'airport style' security. we were escorted past the extremely busy 'News Floor', and whilst in the glass lifts (playing Radio 2) we travelled the world of the BBC, travelling through shows such as 'One Show' and Watch Dog'. It was like being in a TV Production version of  'Willy Wonka'.

Our event was on the 7th Floor. A purpose built presentation area with a small audience stand. We were greeted with a drink, and immediately were greeted by Ladies who were now becoming good friends as well as associates. These events certainly do what they say on the tin - Women from all area's within football attend, and the help and advise that I get is amazing. 

The event consisted of awards to inspirational women within the football family, all very hard worked for, and all very well deserved. We were also so fortunate to have inspirational speakers from within the football medical teams and the media teams

At the half-time break, we were treated to pizza and drinks. I had some great discussions with other Referee's and some of the Media Girls. And to top it all, and prove that Networking works - I managed to get invited to do a sports programme on Radio 4. 

These events are great;
  • They let you know that you're not the only female within the game
  • They understand the industry
  • They are there to help you
The event finished at 10pm. Travelling back through the BBC, the floors were now very quiet - until you got to the ground floor, where the news teams were still in full pelt. When I left the building, another show was being prepared outside 'Broadcasting House'. 

Fantastic Place