A regional journalist has opened up about how sexist discrimination deterred her from achieving her dream of working in sports journalism.

Laura Hartley, left, has spoken out about how she was put off working in sport due to the “problems she’d face” because of her gender.

She went on to work as a multimedia journalist for her hometown newspaper the Coventry Telegraph and now serves as audience editor at publisher Reach plc’s In Your Area hyperlocal news network.

But, in a piece for the Telegraph, Laura has now revealed her initial ambition of being a sports reporter was thwarted by the “many hurdles” she felt she would have faced.

Laura wrote the first-person piece for her old newspaper after becoming an ambassador for the ‘Her Game Too’ initiative, which aims to raise awareness of sexism faced by female football supporters.

Coventry City fan Laura wrote: “I wanted to become a sports journalist at an early age, but the only thing stopping me was my gender and the discrimination I would face just by being a female.

“I’ve unfortunately still faced these issues by being a fan, but I’ve been very lucky to have male friends to support me if I face this, but also females to stand with me whenever we receive these comments.

“Funnily enough, I know the offside rule, but it sadly hasn’t stopped ignorant comments being made to me which females face every single day just by supporting the team we grew up watching.”

Speaking to HTFP, Laura said she had initially wanted to study on a sports journalism course before beginning her training in 2012.

She said: “But, as I looked into it, I couldn’t find a way in because I faced so many hurdles for being female. My views wouldn’t be taken seriously by the general discrimination women were facing at the time.

“At no point did we see the amount of female commentators and pundits like we do now. The likes of Karen Carney, Alex Scott and Jacqui Oatley are all an inspiration.

“But unfortunately it was a world made up almost of men who were the face of sports journalism and fans who told women with a valid sporting opinion to ‘get back in the kitchen.'”

“Even now, the comments are still there for females. And it’s why we’re so passionate about making change, so the world is more equal in another few years when girls who are looking to get into football can do so with confidence and without the misogynistic comments.”

HTFP reported in May last year how Hull Daily Mail writer, and ‘Her Game Too’ co-founder, Bobbi Hadgraft had revealed the sexist abuse she faced had caused her to shun media appearances talking about football.