On tonights One Show Rod met the captain of a Scottish youth football team who has been banned from a UK-wide competition – because she’s a girl.
Alyshia Walker won’t be allowed to play in the home nations showpiece at Birmingham City’s stadium because English FA rules prohibit mixed teams.
The 13-year-old made history as the first female in a Scottish Youth Football Association Challenge Cup-winning side.
Not only is she the West Lothian under-13 side Fauldhouse Foxes’ star striker but – despite being the only girl in the team – she’s also the captain
Alyshia has scored more than 50 goals in just 21 games so far this season and has won caps for Scotland at under-15 level.
She was voted the best player in a 3-0 win to qualify for the four nations Tesco Cup play-offs in Birmingham.
Now she’s been banned – but has been told she can take part in the warm-up and the coin toss.
On tonights show Rod told Alyshia that the rules should be changed and later in the show in front of a small crowd including some specially invited SMILER members Alyshia beat Rod in a penalty shoot out against ex-Scotland goal keeper Jim Leighton.
Our exclusive picture was taken by none other than the shows host Chris Evans using SMILER photographer Yve Paige’s trusty camera.
