Ms Anita Asante

Anita began her PhD studies in October 2008 after successfully completing an MRes degree at Brunel University.  She is reasearching the role of politics in sport under the supervision of Dr Vassil Girginov and Dr Laura Hills.  Anita is funded by a research grant from the ESRC.  She holds a BA in Politics and English.

Anita combines her PhD studies with her career as a professional footballer and started playing at Arsenal LFC aged 14 where she progressed through to the women's first team.  She was part of the Arsenal team which won the quadruple in 2006/07.  Anita now plays in the USA and in her first year as a full time professional helped her team, Sky Blue FC, to an inaugural Championship.

Anita also has international honours and has represented England at U17, U19 and U21.  As a senior international she participated in the 2005 European Championships (in England); the 2007 World Cup (in China); the 2009 European Championship Final (in Finland) and most recently the 2011 World Cup (in Germany).  Anita hopes to be part of the England squad which competes in the London Olympics in 2012.

Outside of football and indoor football, her interests are music, dance and art.  She also hopes to be able to contribute to international football related charity projects when her playing career and studies end. 

 

 

 

 

Research Interests

Anita's research interests are influenced by her personal experience as an elite level athlete, soemthing she wishes for everyone to be able to aspire to.  She is striving to better understand the socio-political and economic foundations and arrangements for women's football with a view to creating, developing and sustaining workable professional leagues. 

Research Centre

Brunel Centre for Sport Health and Wellbeing (BC•SHaW)