Brooklyn Brothers: Breaking barriers and building dreams in football

Brooklyn on the right

The 15-year-old from Ilfracombe first fell in love with football as a toddler. “When I was about three or four, I wanted to join a girls’ team,” Brooklyn recalls. “But where I live, there weren’t any, so I joined the local boys’ side instead.”

The early years weren’t easy. “At first, the boys didn’t want a girl on the team. But as I got older, around nine or ten, they realised I could actually play!” she laughs.

By the age of 11, Brooklyn had become captain, leading the team to multiple trophies.

At 12, Brooklyn’s football journey took a new direction after spotting open trials for Devon FA’s under-14 girls team. She impressed coaches across two selection phases and earned her place in the Emerging Talent Centre (ETC) squad.

“My first year was all about settling in,” she says. “But by the second year, I’d made amazing friends and even became captain. That year we reached the England Schools’ National Final for the first time in 42 years, it was incredible.”

Since then, Brooklyn has continued to thrive. She has represented Devon at multiple levels and now captains the Plymouth Argyle under-16s team, having previously been vice-captain while playing above her age group.

Her performances have earned national recognition, with invitations to England’s regional and national development camps, putting her firmly on the radar for future Lionesses selection.

“Last year, I was a reserve for the England under-15 squad.

“Only 18 girls get picked, so to be that close was amazing. It’s made me even more determined.”

In 2025, Brooklyn has been supported by SportsAid, in which she describes as “life changing.”

“Where I live, everything is far away”

“Every training session is a four-hour round trip, sometimes four/five times a week.

“Without SportsAid, I’d have had to miss sessions or even choose between teams.”

“Their funding has covered travel, accommodation for away games and new boots. We just wouldn’t be able to do this without that support.”

“SportsAid has made it possible for me to keep improving, to get to training, to rest properly before games, to buy the right kit. It’s helping me reach the level I need to be at.”

As Black History Month is celebrated across the UK, Brooklyn’s story stands as a powerful reminder of how representation matters.

Having experienced racial abuse during earlier in her sporting journey, she now uses her platform to speak out against discrimination and to encourage others to follow their dreams.

“I’ve had some really difficult experiences, but I want to show young girls that they belong in football,” she says.

“I do think it’s getting better and a lot more equal.

“It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from, you can achieve anything.”

Brooklyn’s ambitions are clear.

“I want to make my England debut and play professionally, hopefully for Arsenal one day,” she says. “That’s the dream.”

But she’s also thinking about giving back.

“When I’m older, I’d love to come back to Ilfracombe and set up charity matches or training days for young girls, to show them what’s possible.”

“SportsAid, through Backing the Best, has helped me so, so much," Brooklyn says. “Without it, I wouldn’t be where I am today. It’s not just the money, it’s the belief. Knowing someone’s backing you means everything.

"Having support from the likes of SportsAid, Ilfracombe Round Table, Rotary Club of Torrington and ASFootyReview is huge."

As she continues to push boundaries and inspire others, SportsAid Backing the Best athlete, Brooklyn, is not just chasing her own football dreams, she’s helping to shape a more inclusive and equal future for the sport.