It’s safe to say Lipa Nessa made the most of every minute of her time at UCFB. From working as a Youth Board member for Middlesex FA, to starting her own podcast, the BA (Hons) Sports Business & Coaching graduate walked down Wembley Way for the last time with far more than a degree.
Since graduating in 2019, Lipa has continued to have a positive impact on football and sports, both as a passionate activist and a fearless representative for women and ethnic minorities involved in the game.
Reflecting on her own journey so far, Lipa said: “When I first started playing football there was a lot of backlash from my community in terms of the cultural barriers. However, as I grew into a woman, into knowledge and understanding of the sporting world it was quite easy for me to feel comfortable in who I am. I think when someone sees you and knows that you know your thing, they leave you alone.”
And she certainly knows her thing – now a Board Member for the Youth Sport Trust and a representative for several global sports brands, while still taking part in voluntary grassroots coaching, Lipa is striving to create change in as many avenues as possible in sport.
Lipa continued: “One brand I worked with recently was Adidas and their campaign to do with body image. I had a great passion in that because we’ve just come out of isolation and a lot of people’s bodies have changed. So, I was just trying to put on a positive attitude with a big brand and show them that everyone’s different, and that’s ok.”
As she continues to inspire young people across the capital, Lipa carries with her a single quote that reminds her of why she does what she does: ‘I’m going to change the world with a hijab on my head, and a ball at my feet’. She might be halfway there already.
