Former Lioness and Queen of the Jungle Jill Scott has joined the Board of Trustees at a North East football foundation.
Jill has taken on the role with Sunderland AFC's official charity, Foundation of Light, following an invite from former Black Cats Chairman Sir Bob Murray and Foundation Chief Executive Lesley Spuhler.
This move comes on International Women's Day, with Jill pinpointing how the foundation shaped her career as a woman footballer and how she now becomes a trustee.
The appointment is a very proud moment for Sunderland's Jill, who started her career pathway with the Foundation when she was 17-years-old.
Jill said: “I love coming back to Sunderland, especially the Stadium of Light and the Beacon of Light, it brings back all the memories I have of playing football and going to the games with my grandad.
“Foundation of Light has played a huge role in my career. When I first got involved, women’s football certainly wasn't where it is now and I’m so grateful that they saw my potential and allowed me to do some coaching and work experience.
"These opportunities helped me find my passion and realise that I could make a career out of football. Before that, it was a dream that I thought couldn’t exist.”
Jill joins an ever-growing list of household names already on the Board of Trustees, alongside Chair Sir Bob Murray, including Kyrill Louis-Dreyfus, Kate Adie, George Clarke, Steve Cram, The Rt Hon The Baroness Estelle Morris of Yardley, Colonel The Hon James Ramsbotham, Sir Tim Rice, Martin Hibbert and Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson.
Now Jill is back where it all began to support the organisation in a different role: “I’m delighted to be on the Board of Trustees at the Foundation of Light.
“It’s a very important role and I’m honoured to be sitting alongside Sir Bob Murray and Steve Cram, two people very proud of their Sunderland roots like me,” Jill added.
“I'm hoping that through my new position, I’ll be able to support the growth of the women's football provision. If I can make a difference by even 1 per cent it will be worth it.”
The Foundation of Light was established in 2001 by Sir Bob Murray.
North East football fans are notorious for their passion and SAFC’s official charity hopes to channel that energy to help make a difference to lives across Wearside.
Recent studies have shown that health inequalities in the UK are getting worse, with the gap between the North East and the South of England worsening.
People in communities across our region are living shorter lives; spending most of them in poor health.
Foundation of Light works with up to 20,000 young people and families every year and aims to tackle these issues, encouraging parents and grandparents to stay both physically and mentally active to inspire the next generation to do the same.
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Foundation of Light Chair of Trustees Sir Bob said: “We’re delighted to welcome Jill on the Board of Trustees.”
“Jill has achieved so much in her career, starting at Sunderland and becoming a European Champion with the Lionesses. Everything she represents epitomises the values we have at the Foundation, and she is a great addition.
“Jill is a great role model for the people we work with, and to have her support is so very special. It means so much to me and the team at the Foundation.”
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