"I want to do my part"

Chelsea FC Women and Canada midfielder Jessie Fleming joins Common Goal

For Jessie Fleming, joining Common Goal was a ‘no-brainer’ that has grown out of the standard set for giving back by those that have come before her.

The Chelsea and Canada midfielder has pledged 1% of her earnings to Common Goal’s Global Goal 5 Accelerator – which uses football to build a world where every girl has the opportunity to fulfil her potential.

Her commitment means she joins forces with a host of familiar faces – and now teams up off the pitch with players she’s used to playing side-by-side with on it. 

Alongside Magda Eriksson and Pernille Harder, she becomes the third Chelsea FC Women’s player to join and the 14th Canadian member of the movement.

“As soon as I went pro it was something that was on my radar and something that I wanted to do. It just felt like a long time coming,” she said.

“For me, it was just the standard that had been set, so it was a no brainer. I mean, it’s 1%, I want to do my part, even if it’s small, to leave the game in a better place."

“I chose to put my proceeds towards getting more women involved in leadership roles in football, which I think is important, especially as a woman in football myself," said Fleming.

“I think it’s important for young girls to be able to see themselves in their role models.

“There are a lot of people who I look up to who are a part of Common Goal and who were encouraging me to join and kind of get curious about it. I feel really special to be a part of the list of players that have joined.”

Now that Fleming is part of the movement, she is keen to help it grow and wants to play an active role in making sure the game she loves can become a greater force for good in the world.

“I don’t think there’s any real cons or disadvantages to joining,” she added. “I don’t think it’s a lot, it’s only 1% and I think the more players we get, the further it can go as a collective so I’d like to help.

“Again, I think I was inspired by some of my teammates on the national team. There are quite a few people who donate to Common Goal each year, and the more of us we are, the more it will encourage others to take the pledge, and the more change we can make.”