Playing with the Boys

The amazing and inspirational story of talented young international footballer, Niamh McKevitt, who has battled with teachers, coaches and the Football Association for the right to play against, and alongside, boys. Currently the only girl playing organised, FA-affiliated football in an U16 boys team, Niamh has faced relentless opposition from the football authorities, coaches and teachers and put up with the constant sniggering, sledging and occasionally outright abuse. A no-nonsense defender, invariably Niamh lets her performances on the pitch do the talking for her. She has earned the respect of male team-mates and opponents alike, played with the boys at the highest level and almost singlehandedly persuaded the FA to change their rules. But her success at the age of just 16 she has already made her first team debut for the Women s Premier League club Huddersfield Town and represented the Republic of Ireland at junior level also challenges the widely held belief that girls will only become better players if separated from boys, and calls into question the entire system for coaching women s football, the fastest growing participation sport in the UK. Beyond all that, Playing with the Boys is quite simply the uplifting story of a girl who loves playing football and is determined to become the very best player she can be."