We believe every girl deserves the opportunity to experience the confidence, belonging and lifelong benefits that sport can provide.
Yet across the UK, too many girls are leaving sport during adolescence. Research shows there is a 280 million-hour participation gap between boys and girls each year, while around 1.3 million girls who once loved sport disengage during their teenage years.
Fear of judgement, low confidence, body image concerns, safety worries and the impact of puberty all contribute to girls dropping out of sport at the time they need it most. Many girls report feeling unsupported, with 70% avoiding sport while on their period.
Through our initiatives, we are working to remove barriers, create positive experiences and ensure girls can continue to play, grow and thrive through sport.
THE ALESSIA CUP
Girls tell us they want opportunities to compete, challenge themselves and be part of something bigger. Sport can provide exactly that - building confidence, resilience, friendships and a sense of belonging. Yet many girls still miss out on opportunities to enjoy sport and competition in environments that feel inclusive, empowering and designed for them.
Too often, girls lack access to visible role models, positive sporting experiences and pathways that encourage them to stay involved and test themselves through sport. Research shows that by age 11, almost one in three girls no longer believe sport is for them. Creating more opportunities to participate, compete and thrive is essential to changing that story.
The Need
The Alessia Cup is our flagship grassroots football tournament, bringing girls ages 11-14yrs together for a unique experience that combines football, confidence-building and inspiration. Designed to celebrate girls' participation in sport, the tournament provides opportunities to compete, challenge themselves, connect with role models and develop skills both on and off the pitch.
More than a football competition, The Alessia Cup is designed to help girls build confidence, feel a sense of belonging and see a future for themselves in sport.
Our Response
The first Alessia Cup engaged more than 180 girls and delivered powerful results.
● 82% of participants felt more comfortable playing sport after taking part.
● Confidence, leadership and decision-making scores increased by 77%.
● 98% said they would participate again.
● 97% rated their experience as excellent.
● 92% said they had never experienced a tournament like it before.
● 53 schools have already expressed interest in future tournaments.
Our Impact
POWER HER PLAY CURRICULUM
One of the biggest drop-off points in girls' sporting participation happens during adolescence. Research shows that approximately 1.3 million girls who once loved sport disengage during their teenage years. Puberty, periods, body image concerns and declining confidence all contribute to girls stepping away from sport. Around 70% of girls avoid sport when they are on their period, while many report feeling misunderstood or unsupported by the adults around them.
These challenges are often greatest in disadvantaged communities, where girls face additional barriers to participation and wellbeing. Coaches, teachers and practitioners frequently tell us they want to support girls better but lack the training, resources and confidence to do so.
The Need
Power Her Play is an evidence-informed curriculum and training programme designed to help girls ages 11-18yrs stay engaged in sport during adolescence.
Developed with Football Beyond Borders and informed by girls, practitioners and leading experts, the programme equips trusted adults with the knowledge, tools and confidence to better support girls through puberty, periods, body image challenges and confidence barriers.
The programme combines:
● Specialist practitioner training
● Curriculum resources and toolkits
● Body confidence and wellbeing education
● Practical coaching guidance
● Ongoing evaluation and learning
Power Her Play is currently being piloted and refined before scaling nationally.
Our Response
Through Power Her Play, we aim to:
● Reduce the drop-off rate of girls participating in sport during adolescence
● Increase girls’ confidence, wellbeing, and sense of belonging
● Improve support from coaches and trusted adults and girls feeling more supported to play during their periods.
● Equip practitioners and coaches with the confidence and skills to create safer, more inclusive sporting environments, reaching up to 1,000 girls in 26/27
Our ambition is to create lasting systemic change by not only supporting girls directly, but by changing the environments around them so they can continue participating in sport throughout their teenage years and beyond.
By helping girls stay in the game during one of the most challenging periods of their lives, Power Her Play aims to ensure more girls can experience the lifelong benefits of sport.
Our Impact
Over the next three years, we are committed to scaling both The Alessia Cup and Power Her Play to extend our reach and deepen our impact:
1,000+ girls participating in The Alessia Cup
10,000+ girls reached through the Power Her Play curriculum and training programme
PLANNED IMPACT INITIATIVES
Tournament for 200+ girls
Providing opportunity for girls from undeserved backgrounds to engage in a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Curriculum reaching
1000+ girls
Delivered to coaches and teachers to better support girls through puberty and the onset of periods.
Career events
To help young women find their path, explore careers in a variety of fields and reach their potential.