Peterborough Women striker Tara Mae Kirk speaks out in England after online trolls sexualise her goalscoring success and push social media attention beyond acceptable limits

For most strikers, scoring is the whole job.

Put the ball in the net, celebrate with your teammates, and move on to the next match.

But for Peterborough Women forward Tara Mae Kirk, scoring goals ended up bringing something she never expected — a wave of online attention that didn’t always feel like support.

At just 22, Kirk has spoken openly about how quickly the spotlight shifted from her football ability to something much more uncomfortable.

Going Viral Was Never Part of the Plan

Kirk joined Peterborough from Leicester City in 2022 with her focus firmly on football.

Like any young player, she wanted to make an impact, develop her career, and do what she does best in front of goal.

Then, a season later, the club posted goal-scoring graphics after back-to-back fixtures. It was meant to be a simple celebration of success.

Instead, those posts took off online in a way she never imagined.

Week after week, they were pulling in millions of views.

At first, Kirk couldn’t even understand what was happening or why so many people were suddenly watching.

She assumed it would pass quickly, like most social media hype does. But it didn’t.

When Attention Crosses the Line

As Kirk started reading through the comments, she realised that not all of the attention was about football.

Some supporters were genuinely excited about her performances, but others were focusing on her appearance in ways that felt uncomfortable and inappropriate.

She admitted that the reaction left her stunned.

Scoring goals is normal for a striker — it’s literally the role.

Yet the conversation online often drifted away from her talent and into sexist or sexualised territory.

The situation became serious enough that Peterborough Women had to delete certain comments to protect player welfare.

A Bigger Problem in Women’s Football

Kirk’s experience is part of a much wider issue in the women’s game.

Female players are often placed under a microscope in ways male players rarely are.

Their looks, outfits, or hairstyles can become the focus instead of their performances.

Women’s football is growing rapidly, but the online culture surrounding it hasn’t always caught up.

Too often, players are treated more like content than competitors.

Last summer offered another harsh example when 16-year-old Skye Stout, a young Kilmarnock signing, was mocked online over teenage acne.

It was a reminder that even the youngest athletes aren’t spared from cruel or shallow judgement.

Learning to Grow Thicker Skin

Kirk says being online has forced her to toughen up even more.

She already considered herself resilient, but navigating social media as a woman in football has demanded an extra layer of emotional armour.

She also made an important point: women should be able to express themselves however they want, whether that means wearing makeup, styling their hair, or dressing up, without it becoming an excuse for objectification.

Being feminine shouldn’t cancel out being an athlete.

Balancing Football With Building a Brand

Alongside her playing career, Kirk has also developed work as a content creator and presenter, helping promote the women’s game through media.

She says she never planned to go viral or build a huge following.

It simply happened, and once it did, she faced a choice: ignore it completely or use it as an opportunity.

Kirk decided to run with it, recognising that visibility can open doors and create financial opportunities, as long as it aligns with her values and reputation.

It’s a modern reality for many athletes today.

Football remains the priority, but media presence can create pathways that didn’t exist before.

A Proven Star on the Pitch

What often gets lost in the online noise is that Tara Kirk’s football record speaks for itself.

Since joining Peterborough, she has made 89 appearances, scored 52 goals, and earned three Player of the Match awards.

Those numbers reflect a striker doing exactly what she is supposed to do — delivering on the pitch.

What’s Next?

Kirk’s story highlights the growing need for stronger protections and healthier online environments in women’s sport.

Clubs are beginning to take player welfare more seriously by moderating comment sections, but broader cultural change is still needed.

For Kirk personally, the future looks busy.

She will continue pushing forward with Peterborough, building her career both on the pitch and in front of the camera, while learning how to balance opportunity with boundaries.

Women’s football is rising fast, and the challenge now is making sure that attention stays respectful, fair, and centred on talent.

Summary

Tara Mae Kirk has opened up about how scoring goals for Peterborough Women unexpectedly brought millions of views — and unwanted online sexualisation.

While she appreciates genuine support, she says some reactions crossed the line into sexism and objectification, forcing her and the club to confront the darker side of social media.

Her experience reflects a wider issue in women’s football, where players are too often judged on appearance rather than performance.

Despite the challenges, Kirk continues to shine on the pitch, grow her media career, and prove that her talent should always be the main focus.