The English Schools’ Football Association (ESFA) has been creating opportunities for girls within schools’ football since the mid-1990s and the Association continues to see record-breaking rises in girls’ football activity season after season.
The theme for International Women’s Day 2024 is ‘inspiring inclusion’, a celebration of diversity and empowerment. The ESFA has worked tirelessly since the introduction of its first girls’ football competitions in 1996, to grow the opportunities available for schoolgirls across England and, particularly in the last 5 years, the Association has seen substantial growth year on year, with record breaking numbers of girls’ participation each season.
Activity across the country
At present, the Association runs 54 National Cup competitions for pupils from U11 – U18 and 20 of these competitions are specifically for girls’ teams to continue the development of the players within the girls’ game. Furthermore, girls are permitted to take part in National Cup competitions as part of mixed teams across all age groups (in accordance with FA rules), providing a large scope of footballing opportunities for girls across the country.
The ESFA estimates that at least 40,000 schoolgirls across England have taken part in National Cup activity this season as a direct result of its competitions, over 120,000 girls took part in Schools’ Football Week activity during the dedicated event from the 5th – 12th February and through its network of 44 County Schools’ FAs and hundreds of District Schools’ FAs across the country, countless more players are taking part in activity each week in England.
The Association’s U15 England Schoolgirls’ squad are currently in the midst of their international season and these 18 players are working to increase their skills and opportunities, but also to inspire other young players to work hard and push to make the most of their hard work and talent. Their final friendly fixture of the season against the Wales U16 Schoolgirls’ team will be streamed live via the ESFA’s YouTube channel, ESFA TV, this Sunday (10th March) from 10:50am.
Growing new opportunities
International Women’s Day 2024 “calls for action to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and create environments where all women are valued and respected. Inspire Inclusion encourages everyone to recognize the unique perspectives and contributions of women from all walks of life, including those from marginalized communities.”
The ESFA recognises the hugely diverse nature of school pupils within all schools across the country and continues to work to create opportunities for footballing activity for everyone, whatever their background or identity, from the fun, friendly introductory sessions to football brought about through the Premier League Primary Stars festivals (formerly “Kickabout” festivals), the Hotshots intra-school football campaign, providing schools with a chance to receive money to invest into their football programmes, to the Deaf Schools’ Football Finals, the festivals hosted in partnership with the Association for Muslim Schools and the upcoming Blind and Visually Impaired ‘have a go’ days. The ESFA works hard to learn more about the barriers in place for children across England that may hinder their ability or willingness to take part in football and will continue to work with partners to try and break these barriers down to ensure that all children have the opportunity to enjoy playing football with their friends.
Women & Girls in ESFA Activity
Aside from the hundreds of thousands of girls participating in schools’ football, the countless teachers that inspire their pupils to achieve their goals through the National Cup competitions and the Team Managers in the U15 Girls’ international setup, the ESFA’s voluntary network also boasts women working hard to support activity locally.
The Association’s voluntary network across the country is always looking for new volunteers to support, create or improve activity within local areas and the newly created Reward & Recognition Awards are designed to celebrate these volunteers and their achievements.
To find out how you can get involved locally, head to the ESFA’s volunteer section of the website and see how you can support your local area with its schools’ football provision.
Sharing resources
ESFA partners, Premier League Primary Stars have created some fantastic resources for primary schools in partnership with Nike. Their Active Allies campaign has been designed to grow self-belief in girls and inspire allyship in boys.
“As well as shining a light on inspiring women and girls within the game, the Premier League wants to instil positive behaviours in children by growing self-belief in girls and inspiring allyship in boys – so football can be truly everyone’s game.
The recent launch of the Premier League Primary Stars Active Allies resources with Nike, is an initiative that aims to empower girls to play football, with advice and support on creating an inclusive school environment, challenging bias within the school community, challenging gender stereotypes and supporting boys to be active allies.”
You can access and share the Premier League Primary Stars resources via the link above.
Happy International Women’s Day from all at the English Schools’ Football Association. The Association hopes to continue to spread the message of inclusivity and equality for children in schools’ football across England.
Links:
Hear from Claire Foster, General Secretary of Berkshire County Schools’ FA on the work they do within their County: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiqHbjcNryY&t=3s
Watch a recap of the England U15 Schoolgirls’ training camp at St George’s Park in February, ahead of the 2024 international season: https://youtu.be/uS7DGhUlGTU
Hear from Sian Williams, England U15 Schoolgirls’ Team Manager, talking about the 2023 training camp in Fleetwood: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUp3IbJsjh0
The National Governing Body for Schools’ Football in England.
