Denai Moore

“I think the future of football will be driven towards equality in wages and funding into women's football. It's insane to me that the Jamaican women's team had to start a crowdfunder to get them to the World cup this year.”

⸺Who is Denai Moore?

My name is Denai Moore and I'm from London. I'm an artist and a chef! I've been making music professionally since I was 19 and started a Vegan Jamaican supperclub/pop-up called Dee's Table in 2017.

Football was one of the first things that I picked up one when I moved to London from Jamaica when I was 9 years old. Everyone seemed to play it at lunch time and I decided to join in. I fell in love with the sport and I played right up into my teens. I stopped playing after I started writing songs and discovered that I wanted to pursue being an artist. In the pandemic, I started playing football again and it really changed my life. I didn't realise how much I missed playing football.

⸺What team/country do you support and why?

I support Arsenal & England/Jamaica.

⸺How long have you been watching women’s football and have you noticed any changes within the sport?

I started watching women's football via the England women's team, when the odd match was broadcasted on TV. However, going to my first ever Arsenal women's game last year got me completely hooked. Seeing the women win at the Emirates stadium, in front of such a massive crowd was a really special moment.

⸺What impact do you think the 2022 Euros had on women and women’s football in general?

I think the 2022 Euros has had a massive impact on football. From seeing the Women's league being broadcasted more on TV to seeing the women play in bigger stadiums has been massive.

⸺What actions do you think could be made to encourage more diverse younger girls to continue playing and support our current players?

It's already had such a massive impact on young girls around the country. I wish I could see as much women's TV when I was younger. I could only imagine what it feels like to be represented like that at such a young age. It's amazing to see more diversity on and off the pitch.

⸺How do you view the future of women's football?

I think the future of football will be driven towards equality in wages and funding into women's football. It's insane to me that the Jamaican women's team had to start a crowdfunder to get them to the World cup this year. It makes me happy to see the changes already happening and the World & sport culture embracing Women's football.