The UEFA Foundation for Children is proud to announce that Olympique Lyonnais forward Eugénie Le Sommer has joined the organisation as its first official female ambassador. The French international will have the opportunity to take part in UEFA Foundation-led initiatives, as well as promoting the good work undertaken by the body to help improve the lives of children worldwide.
“When I was offered this new role, I instantly accepted it for a number of reasons. Firstly, I am attached to UEFA and I know how this organisation is looking to help the development of women’s football,” said Le Sommer, who is currently on loan at OL Reign in the United States.
“Education is important to me and it’s something I want to get involved in. Today we need to send young people the right messages that will inevitably have an impact throughout their lives. I also want to share my passion for football by helping those in need in any way. Small things can sometimes change lives and I have recognised this throughout my career. ”
Le Sommer is a European footballing great. She has won seven UEFA Women’s Champions League titles with Olympique Lyonnais, and has been capped 175 times by France, netting 86 goals to become her country’s record scorer. The 32-year-old recently opened a new chapter in her career by joining the Seattle-based OL Reign who compete in the US National Women's Soccer League.
She follows Ivan Rakitić in signing as a UEFA Foundation ambassador, the Croatian midfielder having linked up with the organisation in February.
Meaningful impact
UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin, who is chairman of the board of the UEFA Foundation for Children, is delighted that Le Sommer has committed her time and backing to this important cause.
“Eugénie Le Sommer is one of the greatest forwards of her generation, but just as importantly she is a person who wants to make a meaningful impact off the pitch in order to give children the chance to have a better future,” said president Čeferin.
“I am delighted with the commitment, desire and energy that Eugénie has shown to try and help youngsters around the globe, and we are looking forward to working closely with her in order to achieve these goals.”
The ten-times French champion has already been active in helping youngsters to develop their footballing passion. The ‘Eugénie Le Sommer Course’ gives girls an opportunity to play the game they love, while also allowing them to share their perspectives and their common passion for the sport.
"The important thing in life is to be happy and I think that not allowing yourself to do what you love for the wrong reasons can only make you unhappy. If a girl wants to play football, I can only encourage her to do this and go for it. You should not have to regret not having done what you love,” she said.
“We have a special place in society and using our visibility to help those in need is a great opportunity. Not everyone has these possibilities, and now professional players have the chance to make a difference and this can only be a good thing.”
Projects in over 100 countries
In the five years since the UEFA Foundation was set up, around one million children have benefited from its broad palette of activities worldwide. It has also provided support for projects in 100 countries across five continents.
Through sport and football in particular, the UEFA Foundation works to give hope to children from difficult backgrounds so that they can achieve their goals in life.
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