Khiara Keating: Man City goalkeeper ready to make history as first Lionesses ethnic minority stopper
Khiara Keating on potentially becoming England's first ethnic minority goalkeeper: «Coming from a background of colour, there's not many of us. I think we are starting to see a rise and I'm just happy that I could be an inspiration.»
Tuesday 24 October 2023 21:41, UK
New England call-up Khiara Keating is well aware that one day she could make history as the first goalkeeper from an ethnic minority background to play for the Lionesses.
Keating is just 19, but her spectacular start to the season for Manchester City has caught the eye of England boss Sarina Wiegman, who named her in the squad to face Belgium in two Nations League fixtures this month.
It may be some time before Keating — one of four keepers in a camp that includes England No 1 and FIFA Best award-winner Mary Earps — gets playing time, but she is already embracing her rapid rise to role model status.
She said: «Obviously I think it's important for anyone to make their debut but obviously coming from a background of colour, there's not many of us. I think we are starting to see a rise and I'm just happy that I could be an inspiration.
»Anyone out there that's thinking 'maybe I will get judged' or 'maybe it's not for me', but yeah, I feel like I'm just grateful to be in a position where I can be a role model to people."
Keating's invitation, alongside fellow maiden call-up Grace Clinton, came during a week in which Arsenal came under criticism on social media after posting a photo of their squad consisting entirely of white women.
The club have since issued a statement acknowledging the lack of diversity in the first team and ambitions for that to change as a 'key priority' from the academy level and upwards.
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