#Abbie’sAmericanDream

(In these clips I am wearing no.10 in the blue kit and no.8 in the white kit.)

Hello, my name is Abbie Morris and I am 18 years old. I am asking for your help to enable me to achieve my dream of being a student-athlete in the US, playing football (soccer) whilst studying for a degree. 

My story began when I was 6 years old. I was down at my local little league watching my mum’s friend’s children play when I decided that I wanted to play football. Without any hesitation, my mum signed me up for the next season and it all started from there. I was the only girl in my age group, but I did not care – I had discovered my passion! I used to play around in my back garden every day after school with my younger brother, firing balls at him into our small football goal.

As I got older, I decided to progress from Little League and start playing for an official team. I trialled for AFC Wimbledon Ladies and Girls and got into the team one year above my age group! They played in the Premier Division (the top league) of the Surrey Women and Girls League. I also tried out for the Surrey Player Development Centre, which is the county team, and got accepted; we often played other counties from around the country. Alongside all of this, I kept on playing at Little league in the boys team on Saturdays until aged 15 as it was a good opportunity for me to get extra game time as well as play with my friends and enjoy myself. With Little League, I was the first girl to be selected to go on their yearly football tour in Holland!

More recently, I progressed from the AFC Wimbledon youth teams to the senior reserve team (which was the back up to the first team). I ended up making my debut for the first team when I was 17, which was a really proud moment for myself as I had been at the club since age 10. After two years in the reserves gaining valuable experience, I moved on from Wimbledon and joined Old Actonians Ladies first team for the upcoming season. I am looking forward to the challenge of playing at this high level.

As a girl who plays football, I have had to work hard and prove myself to many different people, especially when playing in a boys’ team. When I was in primary school, aged 9, I was told I could not play for the school football team simply because I was a girl. This may not seem like a big deal looking back on it but being told that I couldn’t do something because of who I am, even though I knew I was good enough, was upsetting. All I wanted to do was play with my friends who were on the team. From then on, I have been even more determined to go as far as I can in the sport which has taught me so many lessons and given me so much happiness.

At the time of writing this, I have just finished college and passed my A level exams. I studied hard to be able to get a better scholarship and passed with an A* in Sociology and two As in Criminology and Psychology. I am now taking a gap year and working to save money to pay for my further education. I have been offered and accepted a scholarship with a university  in Ada, Oklahoma which will be for 4 years, which means I will get to obtain an undergraduate degree as well as playing at a high level of football. The team play in NCAA Division 2 and play different universities nearby, as well as training every day. It is an amazing opportunity for my football, as the facilities and funding for women’s soccer in the US are amazing. It is also perfect for me as I would like to obtain a degree and progress in my career. This has been my dream since I first found out about it aged 12.

Unfortunately, I cannot claim any student finance or funding from the UK, so the remainder of the school fees, which are £6,700 per year, plus flights there and back a couple times per year, visa costs, health insurance, and living costs have to be covered by me.

My parents are trying to support me financially as much as they can, but with 2 other siblings, they are not able to fund this much money. My Mum and Dad have been with me since day one, supporting and encouraging me, driving me around to training and matches and cheering me on even on the rainiest, cold days! I could not have gone this far without them and I am truly grateful, and I don’t want to burden them with huge school fees!

I am campaigning to raise funds for the first year of university: this includes £6700 school fees, £1,500 for flights to return home during school holidays, £350 for a student visa, and around £1,500 for general living expenses (such as toiletries, school supplies and books, etc.). Any extra money will be saved for the following years.

Please help me to fulfil my dream to play football in the US and gain a degree and prove to the people who did not give me a chance, that girls can play football and be successful!

Thank you for taking the time to read about my journey, any donation will be gratefully received and will help me to get a step closer to a place where I have wanted to be for years.