Striker Jane Ross has become the latest footballer to sign up for the Common Goal scheme.
The West Ham United forward has agreed to donate one per cent of her annual salary, which will go towards a fund which works towards harnessing the power of football, to help advance the 17 United Nation Global Goals. This include eradicating poverty, clean water and sanitation for all, and global gender equality.
The movement was launched in August of last year by Jürgen Griesbeck and some of the world's most recognisable names in football, such as Manchester United's Juan Mata, World Cup-winning defender Mats Hummels, and Ross' Hammers teammate Tessel Middag, who joined last December.
By donating one per cent of my annual salary from being a professional player with West Ham United, I’m able to help tackle some of the biggest social or economic problems that all sorts of people across the world are battling.
Jane Ross
“I’m really excited to join the Common Goal scheme,” Ross told whufc.com. “By donating one per cent of my annual salary from being a professional player with West Ham United, I’m able to help tackle some of the biggest social or economic problems that all sorts of people across the world are battling.
“I heard about the scheme from someone I used to play alongside, Pauline Bremer, and once I looked into the work Common Goal does, I knew I wanted to be involved. I truly believe the scheme is doing great things to support social causes across the globe.”
Having played for the Hammers, Manchester City, Glasgow City and Vittsjo GIK, Ross knows the way football can bring people together, and is hopeful her place as a part of Common Goal can help to influence further positive change.
She continued: “Football is a community. It’s a family. We’re all in it together and I’m proud to be able to do whatever I can to help. I’m joining a cause alongside likeminded people that want to use football as a tool to empower people.
“Footballers are in a position to influence positive change, and I hope to do exactly that.”
The attacker will return to action with Matt Beard’s Irons on Sunday when West Ham welcome Yeovil Town Ladies to Rush Green Stadium, with both sides looking for a first league win of the campaign.
“We are expecting a tough game on Sunday,” Ross added. “I’m really excited to get back in front of our home fans this weekend and hopefully claim the three points at Rush Green.
“Obviously, it would be wonderful to get on the scoresheet, but first and foremost for me is that I want the team to do well. I want everyone to play to the best of their ability and get the result collectively.”
To find out more about the work Common Goal is doing, follow the link here.