ANA POPOV
“I hope to leave the youth pathway, and especially the foundations of it, in a better place than before.”
Meet Ana Popov, Foundation Phase Lead at Arsenal Football Club. Having grown up playing football in Serbia and representing her country at international level, Ana is now dedicated to developing the youth pathway in football.
“My journey in sport began when I was 6 years old. At 6 years old I started playing football in my hometown, Novi Sad in Serbia.
At the time, not many girls were playing football and girls youth teams were non existent. As a result, I joined an all boys football team, but I loved it!”
“My parents played a pivotal role in my journey in sport. They supported my love for the game from an early age, even when no other girls were playing football. They must have driven thousands of miles to take me to tournaments, games, and training sessions—week in, week out, year after year. I will forever be grateful for their support, knowing the sacrifices they made so that I could have the best possible opportunities for success.
As a youth player, I represented my country at an international level.
That experience shaped my perspective on sport and women’s football. It showed me that the game is much bigger than I had imagined at the time, and while pathways to success are not equally accessible to all, they do exist.”
BARRIERS TO DIVERSITY & INCLUSION IN SPORT
“Systemic barriers to diversity and inclusion in sports include unequal access to resources, high participation costs, biased scouting and recruitment systems, underrepresentation of marginalised groups in leadership, and persistent discrimination or microaggressions.
These challenges limit opportunities for athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds, reinforce stereotypes, and reduce the visibility of diverse role models. To dismantle them, sports organisations should commit to equitable funding, expand grassroots and community-based programs, diversify leadership, enforce strong anti-discrimination policies, and ensure balanced media coverage across all demographics.
Together, these steps can create fairer pathways for talent development and a more inclusive sporting culture.”
STORYTELLING IN SPORT
“Storytelling and representation in media shape how audiences perceive who belongs in sports and whose achievements matter. By showcasing athletes from diverse backgrounds—across gender, race, ability, sexuality, and socio-economic status, the media can challenge stereotypes, inspire underrepresented communities, and normalise inclusion.
However, this only works if stories go beyond tokenism, portraying athletes as multi-dimensional individuals rather than focusing solely on their identity.
To ensure authenticity, sports media should hire diverse journalists and producers, give athletes editorial input, collaborate with community voices, and commit to covering a broader range of sports, competitions, and personal journeys year-round, not just during major events.”
ANA’S MISSION IN SPORT
“Throughout my current journey, I hope to leave the youth pathway, and especially the foundations of it, in a better place than before.
My mission is very simple, and it's to be a role model and ensure that the pathway and support for all girls and from the youngest ages is the best it can be.”
“BE BRAVE & GO FOR IT! Women are generally more fearful and tend to lack confidence when entering sports industries. We tend not to apply for jobs unless we feel 100% ready, but the truth is, no one is ever 100% ready, so I advise you to be brave, take risks and go get that job that you want!”
