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    Friday Futbolita : The Parisian making waves in Asia

    Every week starting from Jan 18, Futbolita profiles inspiring women in football across the community. Got a #FridayFutbolita in mind? Contact us!

    This week, we feature Camille Petit, International Coordinator (APAC) from Paris Saint-Germain.
    Camille seen here in Singapore during the Paris Saint-Germain Asia Tour 2018

    “My name is Camille and I’m currently working for Paris Saint-Germain Football Club as International Coordinator for the Asia Pacific region (I am based in Singapore) and I have been with PSG for almost three years now. I actually started in the Paris office in the department in charge of the international development of the Club before moving to the sponsorship department where I was focusing mainly on business development and business intelligence.”

    What are the highlights of your job?

    I could actually speak about my job for hours and you will see how passionate I am about it, but I am going to try to focus on a few things only. First of all, I would say that the best part about my current position as International Coordinator is that I have the chance to work for the development of the Club in a region of the world that I have always been passionate about, and consequently evolve on a daily basis in a very international environment. I first moved to Singapore in 2012 and literally fell in love with the country, the men, and the region! For me, Asia is such a dynamic and exciting region of the world in many different domains and sports is definitely one of them.

    Camille (in a black coat) in action in 2016 with Lucas Moura and Asian media.

    I have learned so much since I started my new role here about the sports industry in Asia, about the way to adapt and work with different cultures and I am very blessed for that, for being able to constantly learning. The way people consume and enjoy sport is different in every single country, and it makes our job even more exciting and enriching as we have to adapt to and interact with very different cultures and populations. Another highlight of my job is that I work on many different projects at the same time which makes every day different and every day exciting. I can work on the organization of an event while managing our current Asian partners and doing some market studies report. It also helps me develop new skills and knowledge without being bored a single day.

    As a woman in football, did you face any challenges? What are they and how did you overcome them?

    I do not actually remember facing any challenge to be where I am today because I (am) a woman. However before starting to work in the industry, I always thought that because I was a woman, it would be more difficult for me to be part of this industry but I guess it was just wrong ideas I had in my mind. I think that football is no longer a man’s domain as an increasing number of women are now striving to be part of this industry whether as an athlete and/or a professional. There will still probably be lesser women in the industry in a decade, but I actually feel blessed to be one of them allowing me to make an impact for football in my own way!

    Camille posing in front of the world-famous Parc des Princes, homeground of Paris Saint-Germain.

    Complete this sentence (in your own way) : A Futbolita is….

    A woman who is passionate about football and what gravitates around it, both from a sporting and business point of view ; she loves to travel the world to attend great games no matter how cold (or hot) it will be, feel the enthusiasm of the supporters in different cities/countries and explore new stadiums! (I recently visited Buriram United stadium, the Chang Arena, during my Christmas trip to Thailand and spotted Muangthong United FC stadium from the plane) Lastly, she also enjoys talking about football for hours with men and other Futbolitas!

    “I actually grew up watching football and going to football games with my mother. In my family, football has always been a women’s thing and we were the ones explaining the rules to my father and my brother … I guess I was born a Futbolita!” – Camille petit

    What is your earliest memory of football, and how does it shape who you support now? Favorite player(s), if any?

    I obviously remember watching big games of the French national team at home when I was younger especially the World Cup 1998 and 2002 but I think that I really started to follow and be into football during the World Cup 2006. I was impressed by what the French squad was doing throughout the competition but I think that what amazed me the most was the positive impact that football and such big event was having on our society. I was truly amazed to see people come together and support their country and today I am still amazed by how sport events act as a point around which people tend to gather and show national unity. As I wanted to experience this enthusiasm in real life, I attended my first game which was France vs. Italy at the Stade de France a few weeks after the finale. Since then I have always been a big supporter  of “Les Bleus” and have not been missing any of their home games.

    Apart from the French national team, I have always been following and supporting Paris Saint-Germain as I grew up in the suburbs of Paris and have always been exposed to the Club. I found it natural for me to support the Club I grew up with and at this time I was not imaging that one day I will be working for this Club.

    Kylian Mbappe (right) and Neymar (left) from PSG.

    I also started to follow Atlético de Madrid shortly after Diego Simeone came back to the Club as manager. I was following the club from far and was amazed by what Simeone was achieving with his team. I had the chance to move to Madrid for my master degree from July 2015 to July 2016 and had the opportunity to attend several games at Vicente Calderón stadium. I have to admit that the atmosphere there was insane … I could get goosebumps every time the whole stadium from ninos to abuelos sang “Atleti, Atleti, Atlético de Madrid, jugando, ganando, peleas como el mejor, porque siempre la afición (…)”. I also had the chance to be in Madrid during the Champions League finale Atlético against Real Madrid that was played in Milan … it was one of my best football memories and I really felt I was living in a country where football was truly part of the culture. I appreciate Atlético Madrid for the sense of belongingness it gives to its supporters … Whether a player, an employee of the Club or a supporter, we really feel like we are part of the same big and close-knit family.

    Camille posing in front of Parc des Princes.

    I actually miss going to the stadium on a weekly basis so you can imagine how happy I was when PSG played against Atlético last summer for the ICC in Singapore  The last football game I attended was during the AFF Suzuki Cup and was Singapore against Indonesia and I truly LOVED it! The atmosphere was great and I had lots of fun!

    My favourite players are Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Kylian Mbappé, Filipe Luis, and Antoine Griezmann.

    For more on Camille, follow her on Instagram here.

    Malaysian website Dafasukan.com has partnered with Futbolita for #FutbolitaFriday. Click here to read the column.

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