A project focused on encouraging more teenagers to play football will benefit from £2m of funding from Sport England.
The grassroots funding body will invest in the project, called Squad Girls’ Football, which is being launched by the Football Association this summer and aims to get more girls between the ages of 12 and 14 to play the sport.
The funding is part of Sport England’s work to tackle gender inequalities in activity levels.
The new FA project aims to increase participation in football among 12-14 year olds (FA/PA Handout)
Research carried out by Sport England shows that girls are less likely than boys to complete the suggested 60 minutes of physical activity a day outlined by the medical director.
Barriers identified in the survey included shyness and self-awareness, as well as a lack of confidence in their own abilities.
Sport England chief executive Tim Hollingsworth described the project as “extremely exciting” and added: “The noise and excitement around the Women’s Euro is brilliant to see – our ongoing ambition is now to ensure that all women and girls have the right opportunities to play themselves.
“The upcoming release of Squad Girls’ Football will play a pivotal role on that front, and by putting teens at the center of session planning, we want to empower girls to get active in ways they’ll love and keep coming back to. ”
Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said: “I am proud that we are hosting a record-breaking Women’s Euro. We want to capitalize on that and do everything possible to inspire the next generation to get into football, so I’m delighted to support the Squad’s Women’s Football Program.
“This follows our plans to increase access to sport for all, with £230m being spent to build or upgrade up to 8,000 grassroots and multi-sport football pitches across the UK by 2025.”
