Anti-discrimination organisation Just A Ball Game? (JBG?) has announced the appointment of a new patron in Sophie Cook, the first trans person to work in the Premier League.
Sophie brings with a wealth of experience as both a rock photographer for band The Libertines and Premier League photographer at AFC Bournemouth.
Alongside this, Sophie now regularly attends LGBT events across the country as a motivational speaker, touching on subjects such as overcoming fear in life alongside discussing diversity and inclusion, LGBT issues and sport.
In the past Sophie has served in the RAF and has been a motorbike racer, as well as a newspaper editor. Sophie explained that it was that RAF background which has provided her with a support network during her coming out story.
“In the RAF we were a very close-knit team,” she said. “We knew that we could rely on the other team members – even now, 30 years later, we are a team and I received nothing but support from them when I came out as transgender.”
Sophie expressed her delight at joining JBG?: “Becoming a patron of Just A Ball Game? is so important as it’s a great way for me to show my support for the outstanding work that they are doing to increase diversity and inclusion within sports.
“LGBT people should never feel excluded from watching or participating in the sports that they love.”
For more information on JBG?, visit their website at www.justaballgame.co.uk
Reproduced from Kick It Out