Hemp is star attraction at girls' football event

One of the Euro 2025-winning Lionesses said it was "so good" to "give something back" as she visited aspiring young footballers in her home county.

England striker Lauren Hemp signed shirts and boots at The Nest community hub in Norwich on Sunday.

The 25-year-old opened the Lauren Hemp Community 3G Pitch at the venue last year.

Hemp said it was "incredible" to see so many aspiring girls.

"It's so good to come back to the place I still call home and be able to see everyone and give something back to the people that helped me," she said.

"I used to play in a boys' team when I was younger... I want there to just be so many girls who want to be footballers when they are older."

The Play Like Hemp event was arranged by Norwich City FC's Girl's Football and Education Pathway.

"Watching all the girls here reminds me of when I was younger and I used to do this and come to soccer schools and it was incredible back then and I have a lot of thanks to Norwich staff."

Summer Ward, the girls' football development manager, said it meant "everything" for the aspiring players to meet Hemp.

"I think the effect that obviously the Lionesses and Lauren especially in this area, has had on women's football and the girls' game, is fantastic, and hopefully it continues to grow," she said.

"Myself and Lauren grew up playing football together... she's still as grounded as ever."

For 14-year-old Grace, she said being from the same place as Hemp gave her hope for her footballing future.

"I play in the same position as Lauren; she taught me so much from watching her," said Grace.

Sixteen-year-old Bryony has been collecting signatures from the Lionesses on a football shirt, and until the event on Sunday, she had one special player's autograph missing.

She was invited to the Football Association's national training centre in Staffordshire - St George's Park - after her parents applied for her to be a ball girl.

"I was paralysed from the neck down, my brain shut off, I couldn't walk... [but] after over a year of rehabilitation I'm back here and playing for my club again which I love."

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