Scientist's 'role model' hopes after World Cup qualifiers

A scientist hopes to be a “role model” for the next generation of sporting girls after captaining her nation in the European qualifiers for the first FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup.

Dr Alice Harkness-Armstrong flew to Czechia to play for Northern Ireland, taking time out from her busy role as a lecturer and researcher at the University of Essex.

The lecturer in Performance Analysis within the School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences competed in three games against some of Europe’s best sides before jetting back to teach students.

It was part of the European qualifying for the World Cup, which is being staged in the Philippines next year.

Sadly, Northern Ireland failed to qualify - but the 20-cap goalkeeper hopes the inaugural tournament will show her students what they can achieve.

'Incredible honour' 

Dr Harkness-Armstrong, who has also competed internationally in volleyball and football, said: “It’s an incredible honour, there’s not many people who get the opportunity to play for or captain their country. It’s a privilege, and an experience I am grateful to have.

“Whether in my role as a player or as a lecturer, it is important to me that I act as a role model for my students, and to inspire those that are coming after us.

“Playing and representing women’s sport internationally hopefully shows them what they can achieve.

"It doesn’t matter if their goal is to compete, or to support those who do, or something else altogether.

"It’s about knowing that these opportunities exist, and knowing that someday not only could they have that opportunity, but that they have as much right to experience those opportunities as anyone else does.”

Dedicated to women's sports

The University of Essex is dedicated to the growth of women’s sports.

With Essex boasting the Eastern region’s only Women’s High Performance Football Centre as well as elite female basketball and volleyball Essex Rebels sides.

The University has also launched an exciting partnership with Essex Cricket to form a top-tier professional women’s team which will compete for the first time next year.

Dr Harkness-Armstrong said: “I think we are seeing a massive uplift in women’s sport, the investment, the growth and the general interest in women’s sport.

“It’s a very good time for girls coming into sport, even compared to the generation I grew up in – if only I was 10 years younger!

“It’s a viable path and I would advise any young girl it’s well worth pursuing.”

Dr Harkness-Armstrong, specialises in studying women’s football and also works as a Para Football Performance Analyst at The Football Association, supporting the England Partially Sighted and Deaf Women's futsal teams.