Euro 2022 by Lauren Heria

My earliest memory of international football is a special one. I had the chance to be a mascot aa Lionesses vs. Netherlands World Cup qualifier at The Valley. We were meant to walk out with the Lionesses, but due to a mix-up, we were lined up on the wrong side and ended up walking out with the Netherlands team instead. Despite that, it was an unforgettable experience and sparked a lifelong passion for international women’s football.

Years later, in 2022, I had the incredible opportunity to work at the UEFA Women’s Euros in England. As part of the close protection security team, I worked closely with the participating nations, helping to ensure their safety throughout the tournament. It offered a fascinating behind-the-scenes insight into the level of preparation required for a major international competition. One of the highlights was after the final whistle at Wembley, all staff were invited onto the pitch. To top it all off, I even scored a penalty on the Wembley turf just hours after the final.  Rachel Brown-Finnis and I had a chat on the pitch, and Rachel had featured in that team I walked out with as mascot with at The Valley. A special moment that brought everything full circle. Reinforcing how far women's football had come, and how far I had come on my own journey in the sport.