Chesham United and Pakistan midfielder on standing out at Watford trials and wanting to inspire more girls to play
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Amina Hanif remembers the day she turned up for her first football trial. She was 14 and eager to impress the coaches at Watford with her nimble footwork and sheer pace. But, as she made her way from the car park to the training ground, she asked herself some serious questions.
“I questioned my life decisions there and then,” says the 22-year-old, who now plays for the Women’s National League side Chesham United and the Pakistan national team. “We were walking to where all the coaches, players and parents were and I remember my mum turning to me and saying: ‘They’re all staring!’ and, after wishing me luck, she headed straight back to the car and left me to fend for myself!”
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