Grassroots Initiative of the Year 

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Kick On with Starling Bank

Starling Bank is helping to grow the women’s and girl’s football community through its ‘Kick On’ initiative. The grassroots campaign was launched to help women and girls gain confidence, life skills and a sense of community and togetherness through the power of football. It provides schools, clubs and volunteers with free resources to take their clubs to the next level.

UEFA Playmakers – Disney

Playmakers is a partnership programme run with UEFA and Disney, designed to encourage young girls aged 5-8 years who are not currently playing football to step into the magical world of Disney and take their first steps on their football journey. The programme is broken down into 10 sessions, where girls will play out epic scenes from some of Disney’s best-loved films alongside playing football, empowering them to be collaborative, build confidence and learn new skills for both on and off the pitch.

Weymouth Women

Weymouth Women FC is a grassroots women’s team playing in the South West Regional Women’s Football League. The club is dedicated to ongoing development, both on and off the pitch, for players of all levels and abilities, and holds regular training sessions for potential players to join its first team and also the development team in a bid to support more females looking to enter the football world.

McDonald’s Fun Football Programme

In 2018, McDonald’s launched the Fun Football programme based on the belief that football should be a sport for everyone, regardless of gender, age, background, experience, or skill level. The programme offers diverse ways for people to get involved, from free coaching, activity books packed full of fun games, family festivals, as well as online challenges to try at home from their inspirational ambassadors.

Scottish Power – Scottish Youth Challenge Cup

Scottish Power’s ‘Scottish Youth Challenge Cup’ is Scottish Women’s football’s biggest competition in terms of scope, featuring ages 14, 16 and 18 teams from all over the country. The grassroots initiative is dedicated to furthering the women’s game and opening doors for girls and women to build a community of players.

MSB Woolton FC

MSB Woolton FC is an FA Charter Standard Community Club based in Liverpool, having received the accolade in 2014. The club is also part of the FA’s ‘Club Leaders Programme’, which involves grassroots clubs up and down the country collaborating to improve the sustainability of the game.

The club has shown that the women’s game is of equal importance, operating more than 100 teams from under 7s right through to Under 21s, as well as several adults’ teams, including a women’s team, which currently competes in the North West Women’s Regional League Premier Division.

Chelsea Foundation – Nothing Stops Us Festival

Chelsea FC’s ‘Nothing Stops Us’ campaign was unveiled at Kingsmeadow where 400 local schoolgirls participated in football activities and workshops at the stadium.
The initiative, which is about the unstoppable momentum of women’s football, from the professional game through to grassroots, will be made available to 5000 young girls each year and will allow each of them to immerse themselves into the world of women’s football.

Fulham FC – Sister Club Programme

The Sister Club Programme has been designed to help support local schools, grassroots clubs and other girls’ football groups to gain access to exclusive benefits and matchday experiences through their attendance at Fulham FC Women games.

The programme presents a fantastic opportunity for groups of all levels and sizes to partner with the club to enhance the continued development of female participation and attendance in football.

Keira Walsh Rochdale Girls Development Centre – Rochdale AFC

Rochdale’s Development Centre, supported by Lioness player Keira Walsh, has provided a quality environment for girls to unlock their potential and further develop skills both on and off the pitch. The centre invited talented female players to join it and enjoy weekly sessions to progress their playing ability. Each girl involved has received sports clothing and equipment for the sessions.

Beyond the Ball – Football For Women

Beyond the Ball has created a safe and thriving space for women of all ages, abilities and experience levels to join together to experience and participate in football. From training sessions to matches, the grassroots initiative goes beyond the game to have a positive impact on individuals and communities. Whether women want to get fit, learn a new skill, develop their football knowledge and understanding, or simply make new friends, the initiative is for everybody.