The Leeds United Foundation and Leeds United captain Ethan Ampadu were proud to present Charlotte Harris with the Young Leader of the Year Award at their inaugural Supporting Our City Awards on Wednesday evening.
Charlotte started off playing for the Shadow Squad, which is part of the Girls Academy at the club's official charity, before taking up a coaching opportunity which she has been doing for the past year.
A student at the Grammar School at Leeds, Charlotte has been actively supporting coaching sessions at school in partnership with the Foundation to help grow the female football programme.
At the sessions the youngster is often the first to arrive, ensuring everything is ready and encouraging her peers to get involved - setting a brilliant example of responsibility and leadership.
Speaking on the opportunity, Charlotte said: “One of my favourite moments is when I turn up to training and the kids are smiling, they’re asking me questions, asking how your week has been – it’s just nice to engage with them.
“You can see that they’re really enjoying football, they’re looking up to you as a leader, it’s just making their football experience even better.
“You want to be the example for them, you want them to feel safe and happy and comfortable around you, and you want to set the example so you want to lead them in the right way - if you’re showing up smiling and happy it’s going to project onto them.
“The Foundation is really good at supporting me, with the coaching programme we’ve had monthly meetings at Elland Road, which has helped with breaking down coaching and asking questions to make us feel safe and comfortable on the pitch.
“It’s been really helpful and I feel I can ask any question I need.”
As a result of her commitment, Charlotte will now gain her Introduction to Coaching qualification and join the Leeds United Foundation, supporting the Shadow Squad in the upcoming season.
From all at Leeds United, we’d like to congratulate Charlotte on her award and thank her for her contributions to the Leeds United Foundation.
We would also like to thank Alice Atkin, who has been highly commended for this award.
