Written by Alina Kazmi
As part of Black History Month Rammie Noel shares her story from Louisiana to Petershill Park.
In her own words, Rammie describes herself as “pretty quick”, "thrilling", and “having a lot of personality.”
Noel started her football journey at the age of three, having been the only one in the family who played football. "Growing up with my brothers, they definitely pushed me, and they roughed me up a bit, so they got me prepared for all the tackles and fouls.”
Having grown up in the Southern US state of Louisiana, she showcased her skills at one of the top NCAA Division 1 college programmes, Louisiana State University (LSU), where she quickly made a name for herself, making an impressive 96 appearances and showing her dedication and her passion for the game.
It was at LSU that she developed a competitive spirit, going head-to-head with some of the best players in the nation all while navigating the demanding nature of American college football and the agile striker’s journey from the States to Petershill Park is a result of her unique talent and perseverance.
When asked about her decision to sign for Glasgow City FC, she shares, "It was just a good opportunity that I couldn’t pass up, and it felt like the right decision to make.”
Noel has since made a number of appearances for the side and scored her first goal for the club during September's 3-0 win against Hibernian at Petershill Park.
While football is a game that should unite us at times it can still struggle to accept people for who they are, something that Noel had experienced prior to her move to City, "I feel like I have faced a lot of differences and discrimination. I would say especially around the time of Black Lives Matter. I used to wear a bandana, I had gotten called names, discriminated against, and picked on because of the way I like to wear my hair.”
However, in moments of social divide, camaraderie was ever present. In a situation where one can feel very isolated Rammie found a positive from it all.
"A lot of my teammates backed up all the black athletes on my team, which was so inspiring and made me want to tear up in a way. It was a beautiful thing in itself.”
Black athletes have been pivotal in shaping women’s football, with iconic players such as Briana Scurry to USWNT international Crystal Dunn. Dunn is Noel's particular inspiration and seeing her play at a high level was a pivotal moment for herself. The forward recalled :"She definitely inspired me to continue to be motivated, to know that a woman that looked just like me definitely can reach the highest of highest points.”
That motivation continued into her life as a professional football player, one that is often filled with challenges on and off the pitch. Noel’s resilience has led her to keep going no matter what and when asked about what she would say to her younger self she reveals, “Whatever opinions had about her, whether that had to do with skin colour, abilities, or basic things that obviously get to a young black girl. I think I would just tell her, don’t change; you know, stay confident and stay brave.”
Noel now appreciates the opportunity she has to be a role model for the generation that may one day look up to her and has found support in her new home in Glasgow with the forward's vocabulary now frequented with words such as ''class'' and ''scunnered''.
"Changes will start to happen progressively, and people will always be passionate about it because you play for the person next to you, and that's very cool to know, that the teammates and people that surround you will love you and are going to stand by you 100%.''
Black History Month serves as an important reminder of achievements and the societal contributions the black community have made across all walks of life. In the football world and here at Glasgow City, changes and conversations will continue as we strive to make the pitch a fair place for all.
You can watch the Rammie's feature with Kaela McDonald-Nguah as part of the SPFL United campaign below now.
And you still have the opportunity to sponsor Rammie this season here.