This month the Surrey Spotlight turns its glare on Charlotte Cox, 16, from Lightwater.
Charlotte is part of the Surrey County FA’s Football Futures programme and is a qualified referee, while she currently is a goalkeeper for AFC Wimbledon and Ascot United U18s.
I first got into football at Hammond School where I won the Sporting Endeavour Award in Year 6, while I’m still involved with football there today. While at college I was part of the team that reached the Surrey Schools U18 final when I was still 14-years-old, and I now keep goal for AFC Wimbledon and Ascot United. I also work with Surrey Police coaching local children.
Most recently I was chosen to represent Surrey as a Young Leader in the Football Futures Programme 2011. The camp was held in Hereford with Young Leaders from all over the Country attending. One of the main topics was disability football, which is an area that I want to study further in the future.
The National Camp was inspirational and enjoyable and I have kept in contact with many of the Young Leaders and we still help each other with queries relating to coaching etc.
I like to think I’ve made a difference in youth (both girls and boys) and ladies football through playing, coaching and refereeing. I am a great believer in the Respect Campaign and would like to see more female referees in the game.
I sit on the Surrey Youth Development Board which allows me to put forward a young person’s view on grassroots football. In the future I would love to mentor girls and boys locally that are lacking in confidence, as working with the FA closely has given me new skills that I would like to communicate with others.
I think I am most inspired by my Grandad, John Graham, who was a physio at QPR for many years as well as a manager and FA Coach.
He never misses me play and his constructive criticism is invaluable - without his support and encouragement I don’t think I would be playing to the standard I am today. We both support Spurs and go to White Hart Lane whenever we can.
My proudest achievement to date was being a mascot at England U21s v France U21s and walking out with Michael Dawson - it was overwhelming and a moment I will never forget. I’m also very proud of being selected to attend the National Camp as a Young Leader and also playing in several Cup finals over the last 8 years.
In the future I hope to study Sports Science at University and have a long career in sport – keeping off hanging up my boots for as long as possible!"