For Akec Makur Chuot, football was everywhere growing up in Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya. There was just one catch: girls weren't allowed to play. From carrying her brothers' boots to gathering with family to watch the World Cup, football became woven into Akec's life long before she ever had the chance to step onto the field herself. Everything changed when she arrived in Australia. For the first time, she was free to play the game she loved. That opportunity would not only transform her relationship with football, but also set her on a path to becoming the first African woman to play professionally in the AFLW. In this episode of Route 26, Akec reflects on her journey from refugee camp to professional sport and the power of football to help us find our place in the world.
When you live in a refugee camp like Kakuma... we didn't have very many activities going, but for some reason people found this joy of football.Akec Makur Chuot, former AFLW player and sports commentator
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