New Pioneers
Natalia.
Challenging narratives, changing culture, and transforming football. Natalia embodies New Football. A player who stands for women rights in football.
Natalia is a football player. But since she was a child, her favorite sport has always been fighting. Fighting to be accepted in football, fighting for the right to train and fighting for gender equality in sport. And she knows how to put up a fight. The story of women in Colombian football is her story.
Who or what was blocking your way?
NATALIA: It was the lack of spaces, of opportunities for girls who played football when I was growing up.
"What I hate the most in football? Injustice. And speaking of the sport itself, I don't like to lose."
– Natalia Gaitán
When was this rebellious feeling born? Do you have any anecdotes to tell?
NATALIA: I remember clearly an episode when I was playing with my ball at school and my classmate accidentally broke her glasses, so they took my ball. As a result, I couldn't continue playing and somehow I began to realize that there were going to be obstacles, that they might try to stop me from playing.
"I believe that there are many movements for women's rights that inspire me today."
– Natalia
What kept you going?
NATALIA: I think that it was the simple fact of desiring to have a ball as a child, of being passionate about the sport itself, but above all, pushing for a better world, a more equal world for the girls who are coming up, so they can have more and better opportunities compared to the ones I had, and that at some point we can say: this is not women's football, this is not men's football, this is football!
"What happens in football is very often a reflection of society."
– Natalia
What impact do you want to leave on the world of football?
NATALIA: I want football to be more inclusive, to offer more opportunities, more space for girls. I want to know that they’ll have a safe space to grow, to develop as athletes, as adults. And I also want to make sure we are getting closer and closer to achieving the type of equality that I want.
"What makes me happiest is to see a growing number of girls playing in teams, championships, at a national and international level."
– Natalia