Game-changers Vol 5: Jess Clarke

To celebrate Black History Month, GIRLACTICO is speaking to some of the icons and game changers making an impact across women’s football, culture and beyond. 

In Volume 5 we sat down with Jess Clarke, former Lioness who scored 11 goals for England and was nominated for the PFA Women's player of the Year. Clarke made over 100 WSL appaearances, and featured in 3 consecutive FA Women's Cup Finals, becoming a key part in Leeds United winning their first major silverware in 2010. Clarke is one of 26 Black women to represent England at senior level, and was awarded FA Legacy Number 168 during the Lionesses 50th anniversary celebrations.

Since retiring from football, she now works closely with ActivKids UK, speaking on topics such as resilience, identity, and inclusion to encourage the next generation to pursue their passions and overcome hardship.

GIRLACTICO: What does Black History Month mean to you and why is it important for you to celebrate it?

Jess Clarke: To me, Black History Month is about celebrating and honouring those who paved the way for the opportunities we have today. It’s a time to recognise the sacrifices, resilience and achievements of those who came before us, while acknowledging how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go.

On a personal level, it’s a reminder to embrace who you are, celebrate your individuality and recognise the strength in your unique qualities, even in the face of adversity. For me, it’s about being proud of your identity, understanding the importance of representation, and inspiring the next generation to believe that their background should never limit their ambitions or what they believe is possible.

GIRLACTICO: What did putting on an England shirt and representing your country mean to you personally?

Jess Clarke: Putting on an England shirt represented possibility, opportunity and, looking back now, reflection. It came to mean something greater than myself: representing those who came before me and inspiring the next generation to believe in what’s possible.

GIRLACTICO: Did you ever feel that your race created additional challenges or barriers in your journey?

Jess Clarke: When I was younger, I didn’t really see race, age, gender or sexuality as barriers. As I got older, I became more aware that everyone’s journey is different and that we all face our own challenges along the way. There have been times when I’ve felt I’ve had to work a little harder to prove myself and earn opportunities to be seen, even when performing well. However, those experiences have helped build my resilience, determination and belief in myself. More importantly, they’ve reinforced the importance of challenging the assumptions and biases we can all hold, often without realising it, and making sure we look beyond those assumptions to recognise people for their ability, potential and what they bring.

GIRLACTICO: How do you think the visibility of the Lionesses has changed opportunities for young girls from diverse backgrounds?

Jess Clarke: I’d like to say it’s getting better - visibility is so important and it played a massive role in my journey,  however to be only 1 of 26 black women to have played for the lionesses is still statistically significantly low- and that is where I think visibility and opportunity matters to keep young girls inspired and engaged - so they can see that there is a place for them.

GIRLACTICO: What is something you're particularly proud of achieving during your football career, and what is something you're proud of outside of football?

Jess Clarke: For everything I have achieved on the football pitch, number 1 would be representing my country- but I’m most proud to say I made it out- football represented a life line for me and an opportunity to better my life and its crazy because even though I worked hard, without opportunity I wouldn’t have accomplished my dream so I’m grateful to those people who helped me along the way.

Outside of football I’m proud to be a wife, and now a mum to my beautiful boy.