Sky Sports presenter Natalie Sawyer visited budding footballers at Orleans Parks Academy in Twickenham to inspire them on International Women’s Day.

The Brentford FC Community Sports Trust’s ambassador met the group after a Premier League’s girls’ football session.

The pupils, who had just played a match against another local team, asked Natalie about her experiences in the sports industry and what advice she could give.

Natalie, who is an ardent Brentford fan, spoke about her job at Sky Sports.

She said: “When I was growing up not many women were presenting or covering sport on TV.

“For me, football has always been my first love and passion, and Sky Sports have been fantastic in nurturing my career.”

She also offered advice to the young girls on their future career plans.

She said: “Do something you love. You need to be passionate about your career choice and enjoy what you’re doing.”

The FA has committed to doubling female participation by 2020 and Brentford FC Community Sports Trust has been running a successful girls’ football programme for the past five years.

So far, the Trust has engaged with more than 1,000 girls through its girls’ football programme.

The event was led by the Trust’s female coach, Sharan Khroad. She said: “Natalie is a brilliant example of a woman who has achieved so much in the sports industry.

“Her influence definitely empowered the young girls she met, along with inspiring me as a female coach.”