Simon Pankhurst's Profile

Jess Bhamra is the 18-year-old daughter of Punjabi Sikh
immigrants living in London who work at
the nearby Heathrow Airport. While her parents push her
towards academic achievement in the hope that she will achieve the financial
success that evaded them, Jess only dreams of becoming a professional football
player, confiding her dreams to a poster of football star and England captain David Beckham and by
playing football in the park with her best friend, Tony.

After being discovered playing in a park by Jules, Jess decides to join a
local women's team and keeps on playing secretly despite her parents'
objections. She even manages to travel to Hamburg for a tournament with her team. She also feels
a growing attraction towards Joe, the team's young coach, which sours her
friendship with Jules, who is also infatuated with him.

After finding out, her parents become more strict and ensure she does not
attend matches. Matters are brought to a head as the tournament finals coincide
with the wedding of Jess' older sister. Jess' father repeatedly turned down
pleas by the coach but finally allows her to go and play, and she arrives with
her team 0–1 down in the final. The team is victorious, after Jess scores with a
curling free kick past a wall of defenders. Jess and Jules are offered football
scholarships to an American university.