Refugee camp coaching 'eye-opening' for ex-Chelsea captain Chapman

Katie Chapman had tears in her eyes as she listened to the story of a mother of six, who described how her family evaded bombs and snipers in order to cross the Syrian border into Jordan. 

The tough tackling, stoney faced Chelsea skipper has said that the experience of running children's training sessions at the Azraq refugee camp was "eye opening". 

After the initial shock of seeing the site, the home of approximately 35,000 Syrian refugees, Chapman has spoken of the harsh realities she learned during her time in Jordan.

In an interview with 'BBC sport', Chapman said: "Emotionally, I wasn't really prepared for what I was going into. It was my first time in a refugee camp and it was really tough to witness because they are just people and families trying to protect their children."

She continued: "But on the other hand, they're safe now. For me as a parent, it was unbelievably touching to see the children so happy, excited and enthusiastic just to play football."

 

November 5, 2018

Chapman travelled to Jordan to run the training camps on behalf of the Chelsea Foundation. The now retired midfielder ran 10 sessions at the camp during the month of October.

Upon her retirement in May, Chapman undertook an ambassadorial role with Chelsea. Chapman won 94 caps for England during her career, as well as countless domestic honours during her time at Kingsmeadow. 

The Chelsea Foundation, working with global children's charity Plan International, provides football kit and training equipment for the children.

Since the conflict in Syria began in 2011, 5.6m refugees have fled the country, including 9,000 who have found shelter at the Azraq Refugee Camp's 'Village 5', where the London club ran coaching session.

 

May 10, 2018

In her role as ambassador for Chelsea, Chapman plans to run the 2019 London Marathon on behalf of the club's efforts for Plan International. 

"I'm sure it'll test me to the absolute limit but it's something I've always wanted to do," she added. "I found out just before I went out to Jordan that I'd actually made it in.

"Going out there and seeing the work that's being done for those families just made me want to raise even more money."