Casey Stoney loving parenthood but concerned by lack of sport in schools

Casey Stoney believes she has had two of her best seasons since her twins - Teddy and Tilly - were born 18 months ago, despite surviving on five hours sleep a night.

But the 34-year-old, who is endorsing the McDonald's Football Mum of the Year Award to be presented by Coleen Rooney, says she worries about the sporting prospects her children face once they get into primary school.

Stoney's partner, Megan Harris, gave birth in November 2014 and the Arsenal ladies defender says she cannot wait to become a football mum herself after being inspired by her own, who "sacrificed so much" to make sure she could play the game.

But Stoney is calling for specialist PE teachers in primary schools after being stunned by what she has seen in her coaching work around the country.

"The reason I got involved with this award is because mums are so important and my mum was massively important for me playing football when I was a kid," she told Sky Sports News HQ.

"She sacrificed so much of her own time and money so that I could play. Mums are a prevalent force in the game, not just taking kids to training, washing kits and cheering them on, but becoming coaches and managers and working in the background.

"My mum was actually one of the first. She took over one of my old teams when I left - a little league side called the Blue Arrows - she really enjoyed it.  She said she didn't really know what she was doing, she needed my help a bit, but said she was standing on the side-lines anyway, so why not?

"I've been a mum for 18 months now - it's fantastic - but I have to juggle work and parenting. They've motivated me and I've probably had two of my best seasons despite getting only five hours of sleep a night.

"I hope I don't force them to play football when they're old enough but as long as they get involved in sport I'll be happy. I've always thought about the sport that kids do in schools and I do a lot of coaching in schools myself, and kids don't do enough PE.

"It's also about the quality of PE and whether they're enjoying it. A lot of kids walk away from school with bad experiences and are put off sport for life. I've been into a lot of primary schools and I feel sorry for the teachers. They're not specialists and have to juggle it with other subjects.

"We need specialists. Kids absolutely love PE and this carries on into sport outside school. There's a lot of hard work to do on this."

The McDonald's Football Mum of the Year Award offers individuals the opportunity to honour and recognise mums across the UK who selflessly dedicate their time to prioritising grassroots football for their children and others in their local area. Each of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales will have their own winner from which a national UK Football Mum of the Year will be chosen and presented by Coleen Rooney. 

For more information go to: www.mcdonalds.co.uk/mumoftheyear