UK Athlete Spotlight: Rachel Yankey

This week I'm taking you to the UK to highlight one of England's finest players, a midfielder with Arsenal Ladies,

Rachel Yankey!



Rachel Yankey, #11, Arsenal

Not only is this all star playing for the Women's FIFA World Cup on England's National Team this year (nicknamed the "Three Lionesses")...

...but off the field, Rachel often works with children and youth, coaching football skills. She even created her own Rachel Yankey Football Academy in London a couple years ago, where she receives grants and teaches young primary girls and young ethnic minority groups how to play football for free! WOW. She is all heart for the game, and working with children. Here's a video where Rachel plugs youngins getting involved in the London Youth Games, over 30 sports:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCN6XcroYPw

She started playing on boy's teams when she was younger. Now, with 105 caps (football appearances) under her belt, she's got the most experience then all the other ladies on the Englad squad. I admire her humility, for how good she really is, and how she is giving back to the kids in the communities around her!

(I know where I'm going first when looking for coaches for the Sport Princess camp down the road!!)

Athlete Spotlight: Milene Domingues

Something about this athlete intrigues me! Today I want to spotlight Milene Domingues, a Brazilian midfielder who retired after 2009 at just age 30. Can you imagine?

Beforehand, Milene was a Brazilian MODEL that decided to play soccer (football, in Brazil) and became the highest paid player in Spain. She was first famous for being married to Ronaldo, a very well known soccer player in Brazil. She later married Spanish soccer player David Aganzo, who is still playing today.

The ex-model also holds the record for ball juggling - keeping a soccer ball off the ground for 9 hours, with 55,198 touches!

I think what impresses me most is that someone who is beautiful - and the camera loves - turned away from that to play an active, fast paced sport instead! She even played on the National Team.

Anything is possible! Without knowing her, I am proud of Milene!