Derby County’s Kira Rai says she is decided to pave the way in which for the following technology as she prepares to deliver up a century of appearances for the membership.
Rai, who scored away at Sporting Khalsa to notch Derby County’s first objective of the 2024/25 season, has the longest run of appearances for a single membership of any British South Asian lively within the high three divisions of English ladies’s soccer.
The Sikh-Punjabi attacker is a product of the Derby County academy and her one centesimal recreation comes at residence to Loughborough Lightning within the League Cup on Wednesday night time.
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“I’m really proud and my family are really proud, but I think it’s also an amazing moment for the football club,” Rai informed Sky Sports activities Information.
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A younger Kira Rai tells Sky Sports activities Information she feels fortunate to benefit from the assist of followers’ group the Punjabi Rams
“I have been right here for many of my life, and I’ve made pals for all times, and I am very lucky as a result of my expertise in soccer has been good.
“And so much of that has been down to my team-mates over the years and everyone involved in girls’ and women’s football in Derby.”
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Rai, who wears the No 15, loved a memorable finish to final season by serving to Derby win their first nationwide trophy in her fifteenth season, having first joined the membership as an U10s participant.
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Chatting with Sky Sports activities Information after that historic win, Rai stated she hoped the victory might be one other step in direction of seeing higher various illustration in ladies’s soccer.
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Rai, who additionally featured in the world’s first timeline and showcase of South Asian heritage footballers within the English recreation, says she feels proud to be seen as somebody who’s laying the foundations for others to come back by way of.
“It’s something that I have grown into, but I relish the responsibility,” she stated.
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“I enjoy doing my bit to help develop and build the game, and if people take a little bit of inspiration from that or see me as a role model – then that’s a great thing.
“Successful the Nationwide Plate was an actual spotlight, however I’ve additionally been lucky sufficient to be a part of numerous constructive initiatives off the pitch. I wish to hold enjoying my half to enhance my sport.”
For more stories, features and videos, visit our ground-breaking South Asians in Soccer web page on skysports.com and keep tuned to Sky Sports activities Information and our Sky Sports activities digital platforms.
