The 25-year-old, who has 48 caps for the Netherlands, has discovered love in Manchester – settling down together with her associate Ruth, who she met on a courting app.
Now an overtly homosexual girl, Casparij says the group is “near her coronary heart”.
“It was arduous at occasions rising up till I received into girls’s soccer. It was regular and overtly spoken about [at Heerenveen],” she stated.
“I discovered loads about myself. I did not have that after I was younger, I had so many doubts and questions.
“I used to be mendacity awake at evening considering ‘is that this bizarre or am I bizarre?’ Having the ability to be that function mannequin now with my associate, for thus many younger women, is so necessary.”
The fitting-back has a platform to advertise inclusivity in girls’s soccer and has taken full benefit.
She wears rainbow laces on her soccer boots, rainbow armbands, repeatedly posts messages of LGBTQ+ assist on social media and in April, devoted her aim in opposition to Everton to the transgender group.
“Why I discover it actually necessary to unfold the phrase and stand with folks is as a result of in trendy society if it is typically not in opposition to you, you will not say something,” stated Casparij.
“It is necessary that we rise up for those who want it in order that they really feel supported. For instance, the trans group. They’re good folks and I care about them.
“I need to present that I stand with them. I am hoping to encourage folks to do the identical. I believe we want extra togetherness typically and a way of group.”
She has supported quite a few campaigns – most not too long ago changing into a patron for the LGBTQ Basis, serving to to fund helplines in opposition to home abuse and transphobia.
“I believe queer girls are having a troublesome time in the intervening time and I need to assist them have protected areas,” stated Casparij.
“In home violence, for instance, queer girls are sometimes missed. I need to ensure they’ve a spot to heal and somebody to speak to.
“I need to be a lady that helps girls.”
She can be obsessed with setting an instance to younger, homosexual girls – the kind of illustration she wished she had as a baby.
“It is good to have the ability to make different folks take away doubt. It is about serving to them to grasp why they’re feeling how they’re feeling,” she added.
“I all the time love being surrounded by queer folks. Feeling included and supported is necessary. All I need to do is unfold love.”
