Get To Know The GIRLACTICO Team

Ever wondered how people actually end up working in women’s football? 

Behind GIRLACTICO is a team of writers, designers, creators and community builders, all with different experience, different journeys, and very different first steps into the game.

In this piece, we’re pulling back the curtain on the people behind the platform. From how we first fell in love with football, to the moments that helped turn that passion into a career, and the advice we’d give to anyone hoping to do the same.

Harry | Founder & CEO

Role & Day-to-Day: I founded GIRLACTICO in 2023. As CEO, my day is all about running the business and overseeing our growth.

The Spark: My interest came from playing football combined with a lifelong ambition to run my own business; those two worlds eventually aligned.

First Step: I worked in men's football as a sports scientist. After the Lionesses won the Euros, I felt the impact wasn't as big as hoped, so I wanted to create a platform to shine a light on the women's game.

Advice for Newcomers: We look for people as passionate about developing the game as we are. Start posting content, get in front of the camera, and just give it a go!

Career Highlight: Our partnership with Nike at the Euros was a huge "pinch-me" moment for me as a CEO.

Future Vision: I want to see more tactical analysis in media (stay tuned 👀) and for the level of professionalism - both on and off the pitch - to keep rising.

Athenea | Content Creator

Role & Day-to-Day: Content creator, so I look for news and interesting stories, brainstorm creative ideas, and create visuals to present them to our audience.

The Spark: Football was always a family staple, but the 2019 World Cup changed my outlook. Seeing talented female athletes in front of huge crowds made me feel like I finally had players I could relate to.

First Step: My first professional role was as a Sports Reporter at the Daily Mail, mainly covering men's football.

Education: I studied Journalism at university, which gave me a well-rounded skillset in graphic design, media law, and video/written journalism.

Advice for Newcomers: Say "yes" to every opportunity and build a portfolio - even if it's a volunteer role or a personal blog.

Career Highlight: Covering the Euros last year. Seeing the massive engagement from fans who were new to the women's game was incredibly exciting.

Future Vision: I’d love to see more media coverage of foreign and lower leagues to paint a fuller global picture of the sport.

Amelie | Writer & Content Creator

Role & Day-to-Day: Since the 2025 Euros, I’ve been writing articles, interviewing players, and creating content.

The Spark: I never cared for sports until December 2023, when I shared a pair of headphones with Sophie to watch an Arsenal vs Chelsea game on a bus. I’ve been a Gooner ever since.

First Step: Sophie and I started Girls Watch Girls Play almost by accident. Heineken eventually found us and asked us to be part of a UEFA Champions League campaign, which changed everything.  It kickstarted our careers in women’s football and opened doors we’d never imagined.

Education: I studied Playwriting (with Sophie!). I think it’s helped my writing, but beyond that I’m not sure it’s directly shaped what I do now. Though, it did make it clear that I’m a storyteller at heart, no matter the medium whether that’s theatre or football.

Advice for Newcomers: Find a niche and run with it. You have to climb "Cringe Mountain." Sit with the discomfort of figuring things out in public and posting the "weird" stuff because sometimes, on the other side of cringe mountain, you end up being paid to film silly videos around Switzerland for a month. And suddenly, it all makes sense.

Career Highlight: The Heineken campaign. Filming with Jill Scott and Thiago Alcântara was surreal and it remains one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.

I’ve been lucky enough to do so many amazing things since, which never would have happened without Heineken taking a chance on us and giving us that first bit of belief.

Future Vision: I want to see unapologetic queerness in the sport, moving beyond corporate rainbow branding to real visibility. Players like Kerstin Casparij, kissing the trans flag on her wrist, using words like lesbian and girlfriend without flinching, and existing loudly in her sapphicness. That kind of visibility matters.

Sophie | Writer & Content Creator

Role & Day-to-Day: I write for the weekly newsletter, The Group Chat, and assist on and off-screen for player content.

The Spark: I felt rejected by football growing up, but the WOSO train in 2022 hooked me. I fell in love with a space that felt welcome and community-driven.

First Step: Alongside starting Girls Watch Girls Play with Amelie, I got a job in football content for a company called Secta. The owner, Callum, put his trust in me and gave me my start. I see it as my good luck token, as lots of amazing things kept happening for me and Amelie during my time there.

Education: Drama school is definitely an interesting world, and in a way, it guided me to where I am now. First and foremost, I met Amelie there, and our work is mainly as a duo. Also, writing and being critical, albeit in a different form now, was definitely helpful in studying.

However, in regards to work and my success in women’s football, I will give myself and Amelie credit, where credit is due, that we really did work for this ourselves.

Advice for Newcomers: Don’t care what people think. The rewards of your hard work will always outbalance the initial embarrassment, or fear, of it not working out. Never turn something down because you are afraid it wont work out. Put your heart into it, be authentic, be you, find your niche and run with it. 

Career Highlight: The Heineken Campaign is up there but working the 2025 Euros for UEFA’s WePlayStrong was a dream come true.. Traveling Switzerland for a month and creating content I loved was a unbeatable.  If you had told me a year ago the opportunities and jobs I have done, I would have laughed in disbelief. I hope I keep laughing at myself in disbelief, every year that goes by. 

Future Vision: More togetherness in the industry. We are all on this ride together and should uplift one another. Also, better camera protection for rainy UK match streams!

Betsy | Community Manager

Role & Day-to-Day: I nuture our audience on social and WhatsApp, ensuring partnerships feel authentic to women's football communities.

The Spark: I loved football as a kid in Manchester but lost interest because I didn’t see anyone I could relate to. It wasn’t until I saw a video of Fran Kirby talking about the loss of her mum and how football helped her get through it that I wanted to work in this space. I rediscovered the game through YouTube clips of the Lionesses and the USWNT.

First Step: Volunteering for my local tier 9 women’s team, helping with graphics and photography. Grassroots involvement is crucial for the entire pyramid.

Education: I studied Graphic Design, which led me to content creation and eventually community management.

Advice for Newcomers: Volunteer with a local grassroots team. It builds hands-on experience and shows your passion for the foundation of the sport.

Future Vision: Consistent, visible coverage from broadcasters with clear schedules and free-to-air windows, making it as easy to follow a women's team as a men's team.

Grace | Researcher, Graphic Designer & Writer

Role & Day-to-Day: I research stories, create a wide range of Instagram graphics (stats, carousels, etc.), and write analytical dives for the newsletter.

The Spark: I grew up as a Man Utd fan but was a casual viewer until 2018, around the time Manchester United set up their women's side, when I began to take a much deeper interest in the women's game.

First Step: I volunteered for two seasons at a top-league netball team, then became Head of Communications for Cheltenham Town Women during my university placement.

Education: Studying Sports Journalism provided me with the skills to work under pressure and the confidence to interview pros like Rachel Daly.

Advice for Newcomers: Get out and volunteer at a local club in any sport to develop your portfolio. Even writing a match report from home helps.

Career Highlight: Working on Euro 2025 content. Even though I was working from home, the buzz of the tournament and England winning made for a perfect summer of storytelling.

Future Vision: More praise for female athletes based on their own merits, rather than constantly being compared to the men's game.

What Next?

If there’s one thing this team proves, it’s that there’s no single way into women’s football, and no perfect starting point.

What matters most is curiosity, consistency, and a genuine love for the game. Whether that’s volunteering, creating content, writing, designing, or simply showing up and getting involved, every step counts.

Women’s football is still growing, and so is the space around it. There’s room for new voices, new ideas, and new people who care about telling the stories that matter. And if this article does one thing, we hope it reminds you that there’s space for you here too.