Swaby joins Common Goal

Roma Women defender Allyson Swaby has become the latest footballer to join the Common Goal project.

Swaby, 23, who just returned for pre-season training ahead of her third season with the Giallorosse, will now donate 1% of her earnings to charity.

The Jamaica international has decided her contributions will go towards Boston community organisation Soccer Without Borders, a cause local to the Connecticut native which will allow her to have a deeper engagement with those involved.

“For me, it’s about accountability, personal accountability,” Swaby said, in explaining her decision.

“Much of my character comes from what I’ve learned through football: being able to work towards a greater goal, being selfless in working for others in mind.

“For me Common Goal represents all those things. Football is so transferable into real life and how you’re able to find success.

“What football offers is a sense of community. I think everyone should know what it feels like to be part of something bigger than themselves.

“Growing up, I’ve had a lot of help along the way, and not always people who were into football but those who saw my passion and decided I was somebody worth supporting.

“I want to make sure that I’m able to make an impact where and when I can. Just like those who impacted me.”

She added: "Supporting an organisation in Boston sounded really cool to me because of my college days.

"It’s also only an hour and half from me [her hometown of Hartford, Conneticut] so when I’m home I’ll be able to get involved in other ways, to somewhere where I have a deep connection."

Swaby is the second Roma Women player to have got involved with Common Goal - former club striker Martina Piemonte (who represented the club in its inaugural season) also joined the cause.

Swaby has spoken impassionately in recent weeks and months about a number of issues - most notably the ongoing Black Lives Matter movement, where a personal post she made on Instagram reached a wide audience.

“Writing my posts was more to reach the audience that I know I personally have,” she said.

“I know I have a lot of white followers who live in their own bubbles and don't necessarily feel the effects or the trauma of what's happening.”

She added: “As players we hold the most power. We’re the ones who get on that pitch and decide that we’re going to play. So I think holding the people in power accountable is great start for us.

“People are quick to say let’s keep politics out of sports, but quite frankly, this is completely non-political. It’s a humanitarian issue. Arguing that ‘sport is my break from reality’ doesn’t add up when, if you’re a black player, you can’t escape the reality of being black in America.”

To learn more about Allyson's partnership with Common Goal, click here.