Olivia Cusack was at the vigil for her late sister Maddy when she felt a tight hug from behind. She turned to see a young girl dressed head to toe in clothing dedicated to her sister. The girl said to her: “I really wanted to give you a hug. My name is Madison but I’m changing it to Maddy in honour of your sister”.
Madison had struggled to get into football but Maddy helped her get into a girls team this year.
This was one of many times that the impact Maddy had on young girls’ lives was made clear and became the inspiration for the Maddy Cusack Foundation. Olivia said: “We knew straight away that we wanted to help girls like Madison”.
Maddy Cusack was 27 when she died and the Vice-Captain of Sheffield United. Tributes have poured in praising her for work behind the scenes supporting young players with advice and creating opportunities.
The foundation is still evolving but Richard Cusack, Maddy’s brother, said he wants to make sure players who are struggling can get the help they need and do not have to deal with the pressures that Maddie had to deal with.
They want to be able to provide access to mental health support as well as physical provisions. Alongside memories of Maddy players have been sharing their own stories of struggles with them. He said “we feel like we’ve started a conversation that is gathering momentum”.
Setting up the foundation has also been a part of the families grieving process, it has created a community of people all touched by Maddy. Each person who has reached out has been a shoulder for the family to lean on.
In order to succeed in the sport Richard told us that it is more than just the training and playing, you have to live your life around the sport. He said: “You are less inclined to go out with your friends for a drink, you don’t go out for a big meal. You’re weighing food out. You’re constantly making sure you don’t lose your condition.”
The words behind the foundation are fierce, determined and spirited to match both Maddie’s personality and playing style.
Eventually, the foundation would like to create facilities aimed at female footballers but are focused now on mental health support, bringing down financial barriers, and opening up coaching sessions and opportunities.
Richard said: “if one person comes to the family and says, you’ve given me this chance, it makes everything worth it.”
The foundation has upcoming events this week: a sponsored walk, Miles for Maddy on 10 December and a Christmas raffle on 9 December. For more information head to their twitter or instagram.
