Tosin Gbaja

“I want it to fly, I want it to stand as its own thing, I want it to be a game where I can see Black and Brown players to be given the space to excel, to be bigger. Essentially I want a lot lol.”

⸺Who is Tosin Gbaja?

Tosin Gbaja is an award-winning sports consultant, writer, and founder of Sport Shifts, an event and consultancy community interest company that prioritises the Black community. She has been recognised for her achievements, including a nomination in the Top 30 in Sports Business by Three mobile and Chelsea Women, as well as being part of the first sports cohort for the "Spotify Sound Up Programme."

I don't play football (I should play - in my head, I'm a baller) but I have been watching for a long time now, it was a way to connect with the kids from school coming from another country and then Chelsea and Zola happened and I am now locked in for life.

I’ve got a podcast in sports coming out soon so look out for that.

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

Having gone to an all-girls school, I'm used to seeing girls play sports. However, the landscape of women's sports, especially in England, has changed and to me, it now appears more generic and less vibrant. It's disheartening to see players with genuine style and flair, often girls of colour, getting sidelined. The contrast with other countries, as highlighted in events like the World Cup, where there's more openness and efforts towards racial diversity and also making the game actually fun to watch has only highlighted the issues more within England.

My interest in watching full seasons and attending pro games didn't really kick in until the pandemic hit. Prior to that, it was more about catching friends playing at local levels or randomly tuning into games on TV. Only recently have I fully immersed myself in it.

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

Engaging in discussions about women's football issues in England has grown more complex, thanks to counter arguments like "They won the Euros" or "Football was banned for 50 years." However, it's crucial to move past these points, as a) the country England faced in the final of the euros isn't adequately compensated, b) the consequences of the ban differ massively from other significant historical issues, and c) England's national women's team enjoys unique advantages.

They have independent resources, aren't dependent on male teams, and have access to facilities and infrastructure. While acknowledging the need for improvement, it's essential to recognize that women's football in England isn't as much a victim as it might appear. Honesty is the key here.

This lack of honesty is obstructing us from addressing the genuine problems in the game. Issues like the disparity between the men's and women's teams in reflecting the country, the lack of accountability in addressing racism, and the stifling of valid discussions due to accusations of internalised misogyny or not wanting the game to grow. While funds are allocated to engage young girls, the impact is wasted without representative role models on and off the field – the most critical aspect of inspiring the next generation.

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

To connect effectively, there has to be tailored tactics and policies for different regions. A universal approach won't work. While policy efforts and encouragements are essential, tangible engagement must be witnessed both on and off the field, including content creation.

Content needs improvement as well. If players are portrayed as likeable with personalities, showcase that in an enjoyable and authentic manner.

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

I want it to fly, I want it to stand as its own thing, I want it to be a game where I can see Black and Brown players to be given the space to excel, to be bigger.

For every world cup to have more teams, for them to have their own federations who handle all things women's football so we can stop begging the men's federations to take us seriously.

I want us to stop begging for male fans, Let's uplift and protect women fans, let's make it a game for women. Let's not segregate the game that if you are one type of woman, we make it clear it's not for you because I am very much sick of people in the game making it only for 'tomboys'. Let's invite all women and all the different aspects of what makes a women into the conversation and environment.

I want the sport to speak out about more issues collectively, I don't always want the US women's team or certain individuals to have that burden.

Essentially I want a lot lol.