Rachel Yankey: Everybody thought that I was a boy...they didn't question whether I could play football

Rachel Yankey was arguably the most famous footballer in England at stages of her illustrious career with club and country, and was undisputedly one of the most talented.

27 major trophies for Arsenal and Fulham attests to her success at the highest level, while her 129 international caps for the Lionesses between 1997 and 2013 points to her incredibly longevity.

That volume of experience is invaluable for Yankey to pass on in her role as a confidence coach to young girls, with one of her main priorities to inspire belief by telling her own story, including the time she cut her hair short and went by the name Ray.

Yankey was in Eindhoven during the UEFA Women's Champions League final alongside Gatorade at their 5v5 tournament, where, in her role as a confidence coach, she got the chance to speak to a group of young girls and teenagers about the barriers she faced.

“You’ve got the biggest stars on show with the Champions League final and Gatorade, putting on a fantastic five-a-side tournament where the girls could play and then see their role models. It was the perfect chance for them to really understand some of the barriers, that they're not alone, other people have been through them, and that we want to try and make sure that football is as equal as it can be,” Yankey explained to 90min in an exclusive interview. 

“Confidence is key for any footballer. Whether you're just starting out on your journey in football or you're an international player, confidence is key to getting on the ball and playing well and being involved in a team.” 

Yankey got the opportunity to share the time when she cut her hair short and went by the name ‘Ray’ while playing football, which was her way of finding confidence in her abilities as a player. 

“When I was growing up, there obviously wasn't social media and the internet. So finding a local team was by word of mouth. There were two boys that lived across the road to me. We all used to play football out on the streets and down the park. And they were joining a football team. And they asked me if I wanted to join with them. Obviously, the team was a boys’ team.

"We all have fears. And it takes a lot to be brave, be confident, and talk about it. And you never know what it may lead to."

- Rachel Yankey

“So that's where it started. ‘Let's call me Ray,’ which spells out my initials. But other than that, the manager knew that I was a girl. He wasn't really bothered. He just wanted kids to get off the streets and play football in an organised way.”

Coaches and mentors like Yankey’s are what she believes continue to drive the game forward and promote grassroots level football, something that is now needed more than ever as the sport becomes more organised, and the only way in is to join a club and pay.

“My first coach, he wasn't a coach, he was a decorator by trade. But he was a man that had a passion for football, and his son wanted to play football, so that's why he started up a football team. And there are many grassroots teams around the world that I'm sure are coached by the same sort of people. So I think those coaches have a real responsibility.

“They can engage with the youth, so much more than just average people. I think grassroots coaches, we probably need to make more of a focus on them and really highlight the good work that they do and really encourage more people to get involved with their grassroots teams and make it easier.”

With support around her, Yankey gained more confidence playing, but she’s certainly aware that not every young girl will have the same experience she had, which is why her role as a confidence coach was to primarily “encourage them to speak about their journey, whatever it may be.

“For me, it was just easier [to go by Ray]. To be honest, everybody thought that I was a boy. And they didn't question whether I could play football or should play football. It was much more fun. And I felt like I belonged there. It became an easier pathway. I had my two friends, and I felt like I was in a safe place. For many girls, it's not the same.

“We all have fears. And it takes a lot to be brave, be confident, and talk about it. And you never know what it may lead to. The girls at the event Gatorade have put on, they might not go on to become footballers, but football and sport can have so many different life lessons that can lead you into different pathways.” 

Whether the girls Yankey spoke to go on to become professionals or not, they will have a plethora of role models to look up to, including the footballers from the 32 countries heading to Australia and New Zealand to compete in the coveted 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. 

England, who have been drawn in Group D with Denmark, China, and Haiti, will be going in as one of the tournament favourites after their dominant win in last year’s European Championships. But according to Yankey, the World Cup is just a different level of competition. 

“World Cups are always going to be tough. For England, obviously, with the injuries, you know, it's a different squad,” Yankey said, referring to captain Leah Williamson and Beth Mead, who have both ruptured their anterior cruciate ligament and Frank Kirby, who has injured her knee. All three played a significant role in bringing home the Lionesses’ first-ever international trophy, but will be unable to feature for the team this summer. 

“But again, it opens up opportunities for other players to be involved within the squad, to get some game time and to show what they can do.

“It's quite a difficult group because Haiti are quite an unknown team. And then you come up against Denmark, who historically have been a very good team that have got very good players. And then it’ll be a tough match versus China. Getting out of the group is important.

“I know people will put pressure on the team and have an expectation for them to win it. But I don't want to do that. I just think that the England team needs to stick together and remember how they played and what they've learned from the Euros. And really take that into every game, and fingers crossed, we can play well because what an impact it will have for our young girls and young boys coming through, showing that we can again have successful teams.”

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Since its inception, Gatorade 5v5 has built an international platform; giving over 126,000 boys and girls from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to excel in the sport, driving positive change within the most deserving global communities.

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