The Barclays Girls’ Football in Schools programme, led by The FA, is a nationwide initiative designed to make football accessible, inclusive, and empowering for every girl in every school across England. Its mission is bold but simple: by 2028, every girl should have equal access to football in PE lessons and beyond.
Through a network of partnerships, the programme supports schools with training, resources, and opportunities that help girls build confidence, develop leadership skills, and discover the joy of being active. Whether through playing, coaching, refereeing, or leading, the programme opens doors for girls to find their place in the game and shape its future.
Kit Reveal Celebration at Westlands Community School
As part of this inspiring national movement, towards the end of last year we visited Westlands Community School to celebrate a moment the students had been eagerly awaiting – the reveal of their winning kit design from our summer competition, held in the lead-up to the UEFA Women’s EUROs.
The competition invited schools across Essex to design a football kit that captured the spirit, energy, and pride of girls’ football. With more than 50 entries submitted, the creativity on display was remarkable. Our Move With Us Ambassadors selected the winning design, impressed by the imagination and passion woven into every sketch.
At Westlands, the celebration brought that creativity to life. Students took part in a fun football session before seeing their custom kit unveiled. It was a powerful moment that showed just how sport can inspire, unite, and build confidence. Watching their artwork transformed into a real kit was a reminder that football isn’t just about playing; it’s a platform for expression and belonging.
“Initiatives such as the kit design help to raise awareness and further opportunities. It highlights the sport and provides more coverage to invite girls to join in with something they may not have considered before. Some children have joined the team with little or no previous experience of football and have very quickly progressed with help of their team and commitment to training. They have listened to each other and have been able to develop their skills as well as helping the team.” Anna Wadsworth, Deputy Headteacher, Westlands Community Primary School
Part of a National Movement: Made For This Game
The celebration also aligned with the launch of Made For This Game, a national FA campaign championing girls’ football and challenging outdated perceptions. The campaign highlights stories of resilience, leadership, and joy, showing that girls aren’t just taking part in football, they’re redefining it.
This message sits at the heart of the wider Barclays Girls’ Football in Schools initiative, reinforcing the belief that every girl deserves the chance to play, lead, and thrive through football.
How the Programme Empowers Girls
The programme offers a range of pathways to engage girls at every stage of their journey:
- GO Teach – Supports teachers to deliver engaging PE lessons using football to build life skills.
- GO Lead – Helps girls step into leadership roles as Football Activators.
- GO Play – Provides fun, inclusive extra-curricular football for Key Stage 3 girls.
- GO Coach – Develops coaching skills and confidence in KS4 girls.
- GO Referee – Builds decision-making and confidence through officiating opportunities.
Impact across Essex
Over the last academic year, the programme has made a significant impact across Essex, training 170 Young Leaders who have developed valuable skills through coaching, officiating, and delivering events, becoming inspiring role models within their school communities. More than 500 girls have taken part in Disney‑inspired football festivals, helping many build confidence, enjoy being active, and discover a love for football for the first time.
What’s Coming Up in Essex
We’re excited to continue growing girls’ football across the county with upcoming opportunities including:
- Secondary Young Leaders Training
- Referee Courses
- Disney-Inspired Football Festivals (register your school to take part in the March festivals here.)
- Grassroots Community Club Links to support long-term participation
If your school would like to take part or learn more about the programme, reach out to your Essex Strategic Lead or email [email protected].
