Just A Ball Game? announces Doncaster Rovers Belles goalkeeper as newest patron
Just A Ball Game? (JBG?) have confirmed that Nicola Hobbs, Doncaster Rovers Belles goalkeeper, has become the latest addition to its patrons.
Born in Portsmouth, Nicola’s family moved to Lincolnshire for her primary and secondary school years and it was here as a teenager she became aware of her sexual orientation.
Nicola said: “I was aware that I fancied the same sex at an early age but was confused and didn’t express this fully till I was 16.”
Football is only one of Nicola’s skills; her full-time job is that of a firefighter.
“I came out before starting work but all my colleagues have been fantastic with it,” she said. “Some have seen it as a negative and say I am a tick in the box but I don’t really care for attitudes like that so I ignore it or report it if it’s offensive.”
“At the ‘Belles’ all my team mates are amazing with it as they are friends and I am who I am, just like they are, and I wouldn’t change any of them.”
Nicola reflected on becoming a figurehead for the campaign organisation.
“It’s a massive privilege to be a patron to JBG? because it is a very important cause and support mechanism that could change people’s lives. It’s an honour to have been asked.”
The announcement follows the additions of Emily Ramsey, the organisation’s youngest ever patron, and Sophie Cook, its first Trans patron, earlier this year.
You can read a full list of JBG?’s patrons here.
