Leeds United have named Suria as One of Our Own as part of the Premier League Supports campaign, celebrating her participation and progress across a number of our Women and Girls development initiatives.
Suria was awarded with her One of Our Own print and scarf at the club’s training ground, Thorp Arch, by club captain Liam Cooper and Patrick Bamford ahead of our Premier League Supports activity on Sunday afternoon when we face Crystal Palace at Elland Road.
The 14-year-old was chosen to receive the accolade by the Leeds United Foundation, to help showcase how far she has come from the first time they were introduced to her. Suria now plays across three different programmes within the club’s official charity, and not only has her footballing abilities continued to improve but she has also developed her confidence and has realised she is capable of achieving her dreams.
Suria spoke to LUTV during her recent visit to Thorp Arch, where she had a tour of the facilities and met with a number of players and staff, she said: “Playing football means so much to me, it is the only thing that can make me happy when I am sad, and I come from an athletes family so I want to continue that and make my family proud and be there for them.
“I have been working with the Leeds United Foundation for a while now, first through my school and now I am participating in a number of different activities with them. I’ve really enjoyed being a part of the Leeds family, it’s been such a good experience for me just to have the opportunity to be working with them.
“Being here today (at the training ground) has been surreal. Seeing all of the pitches, the gym, and the boot room was a cool place. But I would have never expected to meet first team players, and they’ve all been so nice. I was even speaking with Rodrigo in Spanish, and he was asking me all about the One of Our Own award.”
Chloe Greenwood, who has coached Suria as a Women and Girls Officer at the Leeds United Foundation, added: “Suria is part of just about every Women and Girls programme that we run at the Foundation. From our Go-Ahead sessions which is an after-school initiative, our Wildcats sessions where she plays but also offers volunteer support, and most recently because of how she’s shone on those programmes, her school have funded her to take part in one of our Development Centres, which is basically the next step on the pathway for Suria. It’s amazing the school have recognised her progress and dedication and supported her to overcome numerous barriers, so she can continue improving.
“It is not just her football ability that has improved, but we’ve also seen her confidence grow, her communication skills excel, and she now has a better overall understanding of what opportunities are available for females. She is a great girl, so kind and bubbly, and she really brings the team together during the sessions she is a part of. Suria definitely has a bright future ahead of her and I’m excited to see where she can go.”
The Premier League Supports campaign highlights the impact of Premier League investment on wider football and communities, which comes along with an announcement around new funding to benefit clubs and supporters at all levels of the game.
For more information on the Premier League Supports campaign and the new funding, please click here.
