Today, I needed to pass some time while my phone was being fixed, so I ran next door to get a NY Times. It had been months since I read a copy, so it was crazy-fortuitous that I happen to pick up the edition that contained an entire edition devoted to this year's Women's World Cup. the cover of the section features illustrations of some of the 552 players come from 24 different countries.
Before I go any further, HERE is all the information you need to watch the tournament this weekend.Consider watching a game or two to show your support for these awesome women athletes.Through your viewership, give them the same attention and respect that you would to the male athletes.
Inside the special edition of The Times are the results of a survey sent to every national team participating in this year's World Cup.. The results reflect the responses of more than 100 players from 17 of the 24 countries competing in France. The Times also sent man players disposable cameras and asked them to "capture their lives as they see them." So some of those photos are displayed along with snippets from the written survey results.
Here is a sampling of some of the questions asked, along with the answers given by the women:
Q: What does your family think of your job as a professional soccer player?
A: They think that is it still a complicated dream for a girl to have and that it is still important to have good knowledge and skills, to have more than one string to your bow."
- Emelyne Laurent, 20, France forward
Q: Did you ever have to play on boys' teams, or against boys, growing up?
A: "I started playing on the boys' team in grade school because I didn't know there were any girls' teams around me." - Moon Mire, 27, South Korea Midfielder
Q: About how much money did you make playing soccer this year?
A: Responses included a range from $0 in Jamaica to $350k in the United States
Q: How many jobs do you have in addition to playing soccer?
A: "Aside from studying, two." -- Daniela Pardo, 31, Chile Midfielder
Q: What's one thing you always do before a game?
A: "Watch Karina LeBlanc and Hope Solo's highlight tapes and listen to dancehall and hip-hop."
-- Yazmeen Jamieson, 21, Jamaica Goalkeeper
Q: What's the best part of being a female soccer player?
A: "We get to meet new friends daily. And I'm always happy with the ball on my feet."
-- Lebohang Ramalepe, 27, South African Defender
A: "The best part about being a female playing soccer is proving people wrong. In all aspects of our society it has become habit or trend to underestimate women. That being said, it feels amazing to silence the nonbelievers."
-- Chanel Hudson-Marks, 21, Jamaica Defender
Q: What's the hardest part of being a female soccer player?
A: "I think one of the hardest things is being the elite athlete that you are, with very little to no support in your surroundings physically, socially, culturally or financially. I think that women footballers are the only ones who support other women footballers throughout - Miranda Nild, 22, Thailand Midfielder
A: "Female soccer players get less attention, we hardly get the same treatment they give to male soccer players. We work very hard but hardly get recognized."
-- Chinaza Uchendu, 21, Nigeria Midfielder
Q: What's the biggest sacrifice you've made to play soccer?
A: Moving away from my home, family, friends and country to the other side of the world
A: Lack of personal time due to group living.
A: To stay hungry so I can save money for my transport to training so that I can play soccer.
A: Leaving my children at home to play.
A: Missing a lot of school.
P.S. - Want to meet the teams? HERE you go!
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