)
Nigeria’s Ashleigh Plumptre is looking to drive unprecedented growth in Saudi Women’s football beyond making an impact on the pitch.
Nigerian international Ashleigh Plumptre has unexpectedly emerged as a champion of the growth of women’s football in Saudi Arabia.
Pulse Sports Nigeria can report this after Plumptre revealed in an interview that her Saudi Arabia adventure is fueled by a strong desire for something bigger than her.
)
11:19 - 16.12.2023
Blessing, Gratitude, Triumph: Ashleigh Plumptre reflects on magical derby debut with hattrick
Super Falcons defender Ashleigh Plumptre stole the spotlight in the Jeddah derby between Al-Ittihad and Al Ahly.
)
20:31 - 15.12.2023
Ashleigh Plumptre: Super Falcons defender scores second hat-trick in Saudi Arabia
Ashleigh Plumptre went home with another match ball after Al Ittihad and Al Ahly served an eight-goal thriller in Saudi Arabia.
Plumptre in Saudi Arabia
The 25-year-old’s move to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad Ladies in the summer is part of an impressive 86 per cent rise in the number of registered women’s football players in the country in the last two years.
Plumptre is not just an ambassador for the sport but is looking to be a catalyst for change and a beacon of hope and inspiration for others in the Middle Eastern nation.
)
In an interview with Arab News, the former Leicester City Ladies star outlined that her mission in Saudi Arabia stretches beyond the pitch.
“It would be cool to do a class where I can just encourage kids like I’ve done with my younger siblings to just draw themselves or write their names and the things they’re passionate about,” Plumptre said.
"It doesn’t have to be football; it could be art, it could be music. But I think your hobbies say a lot about you and allow you to express yourself in some way, which I think is really important."
As an ambassador of Menphys, a Leicestershire charity that supports young people with disabilities, including her autistic brother Lewis, the defender is looking to leverage her transformative power of engagement and inclusivity to advocate for others.
)
“I feel I have a strong purpose in being here [in Saudi Arabia], and that always goes beyond football,” she added with conviction.
Despite her lofty dreams and ideas, the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup star does not see herself as a trailblazer.
)
“It’s not really trailblazing for me because I’m stepping into something that I believe I was always meant to do,” she concluded.
Plumptre has scored two hat-tricks for her new side, Ittihad Ladies, since she made the switch as a free agent in the summer.
Related content
11:19 - 16.12.2023
Blessing, Gratitude, Triumph: Ashleigh Plumptre reflects on magical derby debut with hattrick
Super Falcons defender Ashleigh Plumptre stole the spotlight in the Jeddah derby between Al-Ittihad and Al Ahly.
)
22:13 - 15.12.2023
Super Falcons: Nigeria remains best in Africa despite dropping places in latest FIFA ranking
Four months after moving eight places in the last FIFA rankings, Nigeria remains the team to beat in Africa.
20:31 - 15.12.2023
Ashleigh Plumptre: Super Falcons defender scores second hat-trick in Saudi Arabia
Ashleigh Plumptre went home with another match ball after Al Ittihad and Al Ahly served an eight-goal thriller in Saudi Arabia.
)
20:50 - 14.12.2023
'Better than Uzoho?' Nnadozie heroics help Paris FC defeat Real Madrid in historic win
Nigeria's Chiamaka Nnadozie was the saviour for Paris FC once again as the French club claimed their first ever win in the UEFA Women's Champions League against Spanish giants Real Madrid
)
20:34 - 12.12.2023
Repeat offender Lauren James in hot soup after another vicious stamping incident
Lauren James has been up to old tricks after getting caught stamping Arsenal's Lia Walti as she did Nigeria's Michelle Alozie at the World Cup
)
23:24 - 11.12.2023
Rasheedat Ajibade: Mummy G.O continues goalscoring streak, nets for the third game in a row
Nigeria's Rasheedat Ajibade has now scored for Atletico Madrid against Real Madrid, Granada, and Real Betis in Spain.
)
13:37 - 09.12.2023
N50k every Friday: Super Falcons star Esther Okonkwo begins talent show to help Nigerians, others
Super Falcons forward Esther Okonkwo wants to help as many Nigerians and people as possible and has taken to IG Live to hunt for talents.
)
06:04 - 06.12.2023
Cape Verde 1-2 Nigeria: Nigerians hail 'joy givers' Super Falcons for sealing WAFCON ticket
Nigeria's Super Falcons have joined 11 others including hosts Morocco to book a spot in the WAFCON 2024.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)