Leah Williamson is an Arsenal and Lionesses’ icon who has been a longtime advocate for accessibility in football.

Just last year, Williamson became the first English women’s footballer to address the United Nations, where she made an impassioned plea to challenge gender stereotypes, and level the playing field, for girls around the world through sport. So it should come as little to no surprise that the England captain is supporting Pepsi on their journey to promote inclusivity in the beautiful game.

Pepsi’s ‘Where There’s A Ball, There’s A Way’ campaign celebrates the simplicity of football and encourages fans around the world to challenge conventions and find creative ways around the restrictions that prevent their enjoyment of the game.

Growing up in Milton Keynes during the 2000s, Williamson’s first foray into football was with her local team, Scot Youth. "There was no actual rule to say girls couldn’t play anywhere, but you just knew you weren't welcome" a feeling Williamson and her family regularly felt at the beginning of her footballing journey. "I think those times are changing now, or at least I hope they are! The amount of girls I meet from Milton Keynes nowadays who play for an all-girls' team is pretty incredible - so I get the feeling things are moving in the right direction." And the No.6 is right. According to the FA's recent findings, the number of girls and women playing football across England has more than doubled in the last seven years. The largest increases came in the 2022-23 season, when almost 1,500 new teams were registered in the wake of the Lionesses being crowned European Champions on home turf, at Wembley - with Williamson as captain.

VERSUS linked up with Williamson to discuss her involvement in Pepsi's latest campaign - and how it felt seeing her face on a can of Pepsi when doing her weekly shop. Plus, how it feels to be championed as someone who's so integral to the development of the women's game, and what her hopes are for the future of women's football.

You’re someone who is really passionate about changing football for the better. How does it feel to be so integral to the development - and perceptions - of women’s football?

I’m so proud to be a part of this generation of women’s footballers. I think we have a pretty unique perspective having seen ‘it’ from both sides. I’ve had teammates who had to work two jobs, and now we’re part of a professional game that’s full of opportunities for women.

You asked me if it’s weird seeing myself on a Pepsi can and of course it is. I’ve always struggled with that personal aspect of football, but in terms of the impact you can have as an individual, it’s more than worth the embarrassment. These Pepsi campaigns, for example, you could probably tell me the amazing brand ambassadors who have appeared in these commercials before, because they stand out and stick in people’s minds. The fact women’s footballers now have the opportunity to join that list of iconic names is amazing.

Football is so precious, and it has the possibility to impact so many people. For me to be in a position of power and to have the platform that I have, it’s about using that influence to encourage people to use their voice and get involved. It’s all about getting people to walk through the doors that women have been banging on to be open for so long. I want people to step through them and I see campaigns like this with Pepsi as an extension of my responsibility… which might have been the simpler answer to the question you just asked me!

I think you make a really interesting point, and it’s one not many players talk about - openly at least. It’s important to understand the position of power players are in and how these off-the-pitch elements are a core part of their job. That’s how real, long-term change can be created.

In terms of future changes, what are the things you want to see more of in the women’s game?

I just want there to continue to be more opportunities in women’s football and for more people to have belief in the sport. I think we’ve shown in the last couple of years that if you believe in women’s football, you nurture it and encourage it to grow, there’s a market for it and there’s a real possibility for it to be whatever you want it to be.

I also hope there’s more consistency across the footballing pyramid. I think that’s really important if we’re to achieve the depth in our game that they have in men's football. We have really strong spikes in certain places when it comes to attendance, but we still don’t have the facilities and big crowds everywhere, that’s something I’d like to see change. Just because you’re doing well at the top shouldn’t mean you neglect what’s happening further down the pyramid. We need to push for consistent crowds at every level and I do think there are new fans out there, word just needs to reach them or we need to tell our story a little bit more. I mean, we’re at a point now where people have realised women’s football is here to stay and will only continue to get bigger and better.

Arsenal have really led the way in terms of filling stadiums, and have been considered pioneers in the women’s game for a long time now. Why is that so important and how do you feel being a part of that massive movement?

I am so, so proud to be a part of that. I don’t think I do anything in my life that doesn’t have meaning. I only get involved in campaigns, like Pepsi’s if I want to share that same message and that’s because I want to be as authentic as possible. And the reason I love playing football for Arsenal, or at least one of the main reasons, is because they’re also so authentic in what they do.

You’re right, Arsenal are pioneers of the women’s game and I want to be a part of that history. I want to help push football forward, so I am incredibly proud of them. Arsenal have made the time to invest properly and it’s incredible what they’ve done, but I think we have shown that they’ve just tapped into what was already there. I was speaking to some of the girls behind the scenes at the club recently, and they said: “people expect there to be some sort of grand and mysterious marketing scheme, and there isn’t”. It’s honestly about making sure you’re giving the game the time it deserves. Ultimately, we’ve been given a platform to help make changes, and we’re using it to the best of our ability.

As for making sure everything you do has a message attached to it, one of the most impactful things I’ve ever seen anyone do in football is address the United Nations. What was that like?

I didn’t realise how big of a deal addressing the United Nations was until I was there! It started to dawn on me what was happening when I went out for dinner with some friends the night before. But again, I just think, I had something to say! Somebody asked me for my opinion and hopefully it can help pave the way for a new generation of people to come through.

I play in an inclusive sport, and I want to celebrate that we are an inclusive sport, I go out of my way to celebrate inclusivity and put women on the pedestal they should be on. I was pleased to go to the United Nations and say, “this is the position I am in, this is the platform I am using, and I hope that you join me in trying to change the world”. I took the opportunity with both hands. All we can do is try to change the world bit by bit. It’s important that we leave the world in a better place than when we found it.

Pepsi has brought together some of the world’s greatest footballers in a new global campaign - ‘Where There’s A Ball, There’s A Way’ - which sees the brand unlock unexpected ways to play, both on and off the pitch.

VERSUS: Tell me a little bit more about this campaign - what is it about?

I’ve partnered with Pepsi on a cool new campaign called ‘Where There’s A Ball, There’s A Way’ - a concept I really liked the sound of before officially signing up to be a part of it.

‘Where There’s A Ball, There’s A Way’ paints a picture of what Pepsi is trying to achieve both on and off the pitch. The campaign is about challenging conventions and celebrating the joy involved with playing football. The game is for you no matter who you are, where you are, or what your circumstances are. I really liked that message, and the fact they’re painting women in a fantastic light. I want to spread this message and encourage fans and particularly girls around the world to challenge conventions and to enjoy more football, by picking up a ball, no matter who or where they are.

There was a time when women wouldn’t have been involved in projects like this, and if we were, we probably would have had to stand in the shadows. Now we’re at the forefront and Pepsi is committed to making changes that better the game.

This was my first involvement in one of Pepsi’s huge football commercials so I really felt the pressure to show off my acting skills, which definitely isn’t a strong point of mine! But I love the storyline behind it and it’s been great to team up with Pepsi.

You’ve just mentioned how previously women in football weren’t typically a part of campaigns like this, but I must ask: is it weird seeing yourself on a can of Pepsi?

It’s so weird, yeah! I think my family and friends quite enjoy it, to be honest. I’d say at least half of my camera roll is people sending me pictures of my face on a can of Pepsi with messages like: “all I wanted to do was go shopping in peace!” On a more serious note, it’s great for the sport because it means women’s footballers are being recognised and the game is moving forwards, but it’s definitely weird for me. 

It’s just proof that the women’s game is becoming a part of the wider football community - something you’ve been fighting for since turning professional.

But in terms of growing up in Milton Keynes, what were your opportunities like as a young girl wanting to play football? Did you struggle to have access to the game at all?

Yeah, I definitely had to overcome some obstacles to play football - especially when first starting out. It was normal to see pitches full of boys and men, and very few girls. At times, I had to find different ways and different places to practise my football, which is why I really like the ‘Where There’s A Ball, There’s A Way’ message, as it’s all about making everyone feel like they’re able to play football, as long as they’ve got a ball and the desire to play. You don’t need 22 players and a pitch, you just need a ball and the right attitude, and you’ve got a game. 

Eventually, I found a team that would allow me to play. The team was run by someone who knew my mum, so there was a level of ‘comfort’ there. It probably meant that I didn’t receive the backlash that girls typically received from people around the game. There was never an actual rule to say that girls couldn’t play, but you just know you’re not welcome.

I think those times are changing now, or at least I hope they are. The number of girls I meet from Milton Keynes nowadays who play for an all-girls' team is pretty incredible. So, yeah, I get the feeling things are definitely changing and moving in the right direction.

Have you ever been back to the places where you trained and played as a child?

I have been back, and I’ve really relished it! I used to play at a place called Scot Youth and I still know everyone down there. I head over there sometimes with my grandma for a game of darts or just to have a drink. It’s nice to revisit and giving back is important to me. It’s because of places like Scot Youth and our love for the game that we (as players) do what we do.

Strong roots help us to stand up tall.

Amen.