Foundation of Light celebrates Get Girls Playing Month by inspiring girls through football and sport

Foundation of Light has engaged thousands of girls in football and sport throughout June as part of Get Girls Playing Month.

The month formed part of the Together Through Sport campaign - a collaboration between the North East’s leading sporting foundations, backed by North East Mayor Kim McGuinness - with the shared aim of inspiring more girls to get active and enjoy the benefits of sport.

Across June, Foundation of Light delivered a packed programme of tournaments, coaching sessions and events, giving girls of all ages and abilities the opportunity to get involved.

Through these initiatives, the Foundation of Light has:

• Engaged 730 girls in secondary and primary school football tournaments
• Delivered sessions to more than 550 girls through our female player pathway
• Engaged over 250 girls in sports through in-school delivery at primary and secondary level
• Introduced 180 girls to football through lunch clubs

Ahead of the month, Foundation of Light joined fellow Together Through Sport partners at a girls-only multi-sport festival, hosted by Durham Cricket Foundation at the Banks Homes Riverside. Participants enjoyed a carousel of activities delivered by each foundation before competing in football, rugby, basketball and cricket, showcasing the variety of sporting opportunities available across the region.

At the Foundation of Light, football remained at the heart of the Get Girls Playing Month celebrations, with a series of small-sided school tournaments providing girls across a range of age groups with the chance to represent their schools and compete against other female teams, in many cases for the very first time.

June also marked an important stage for the Foundation's female player pathway, as hundreds of aspiring footballers attended trials hoping to earn a place within one of the charity's performance groups. Meanwhile, regular girls-only Little Lionesses and Wildcats sessions continued to welcome young players each week, with Lionesses participants receiving Sunderland AFC mascot Delilah toys to take home and continue the fun away from the pitch.

The month also featured some memorable moments off the field. When Foundation of Light trustee Jill Scott, herself a graduate of the charity's female pathway, completed her incredible 359-mile Sport Relief challenge at the Stadium of Light, players from the current pathway were there to cheer her across the finish line.

Foundation of Light also continued its work to remove barriers preventing girls from taking part in football. During selected activities, participants received 'Just in Case' bags containing sanitary products, thanks to an initiative from Durham County FA.

Get Girls Playing Month concluded with the Foundation's All Star Showcase tournament, bringing together teams from across the female player pathway for an evening of small-sided matches, showcasing the depth of female football talent in the region.