The Barclays Girls’ Football in Schools is a national programme, delivered in collaboration with Barclays, the Youth Sport Trust, and The FA, aiming to ensure equal access to football for girls in schools. It’s part of the Made For This Game initiative – a movement to inspire and empower girls through football, helping them become confident players, leaders, coaches, and officials.
The programme builds a sustainable infrastructure of schools committed to developing the girls’ game, improving physical literacy, wellbeing, and confidence.
What programmes are available to your school, to empower girls through football?
The programme provides tailored pathways for primary, secondary, and SEND schools:
Primary Schools
KS1 DISNEY-INSPIRED SHOOTING STARS
Uses Disney storytelling to engage girls aged 5–11 in football and physical activity, supporting movement skills and physical literacy.
Primary SEND
SEND SHOOTING STARS
An inclusive extra-curricular club using superhero storytelling and movement to build agility, confidence, and self-image for primary-aged children with SEND.
Secondary Schools – Barclays Game On Pathways
GO Teach
For PE teachers and girls in curriculum PE. Uses football to deliver life skills and boost teacher confidence and pupil engagement.
GO Lead
Empowers girls in leadership roles (Football Activators) to design and lead football activities.
GO Play
Fun, inclusive extra-curricular football for girls in Key Stage 3.
GO Coach
Develops coaching skills and confidence in KS4 girls, encouraging leadership from the sidelines.
GO Referee
Builds confidence and decision-making by supporting KS4 girls to take on officiating roles.
Key training dates for Barclays Girls’ Football in Schools programmes:
Want to get involved?
Be part of the movement, sign the pledge and sign your primary or secondary school up to the programme.
Essex Strategic Leads
Basildon, Castle Point and Rochford – Steve Bish and Ellie Turner-Powell based at the Deanes School: [email protected]
Brentwood, Colchester, South Woodham Ferrers and Tendring – Tom Weller at Active Essex: [email protected]
Chelmsford, Thurrock and Braintree – Mia Claydon at Active Essex: [email protected]
Harlow – Andrew Martin based at Passmores Academy: [email protected]
Southend – Kirk Edwards based at Shoeburyness High School: [email protected]
Uttlesford – Jackie Coleman based at Saffron Walden High School: [email protected]
Contact your local strategic lead or email [email protected] to find out more.
