Disney and English Football Association team up to teach girls football literacy
The Football Association (FA) and Disney UK have teamed up again on an initiative to get girls physically active.
In partnership with the Youth Sport Trust and National Literacy Trust, the project offers two programmes for girls - 'The FA’s Shooting Stars Active Play Through Storytelling inspired by Disney' and 'The FA’s Shooting Stars Girls’ Football Club inspired by Disney.'
It will launch in 1,200 primary schools in England, to teach physical literacy that will see girls learn the fundamentals of football.
Seeking inspiration from Disney’s storytelling capabilities, the project taps into Disney films - Aladdin and Incredibles 2 - to engage girls to learn basic footballing skills whilst engaging in imaginative play.
Online training resources will enable every other English primary schools to sign-up a deliver Shooting Stars programme.
This is the latest initiative launched by Disney UK and the FA, who began a three-year partnership back in 2017, with the goal of encouraging greater participation of girls within the male-dominated sport.
It kicking off with Dream Big, Princess, a UK-wide campaign that boosted participation by shattering stereotypes of what it means to be a princess in the modern world by pairing up with the England women’s football team.
In March 2018, the two harnessed the power of bold fictional females to inspire more girls to participate in football.
Discussing the initiative, Marianthi O’Dwyer, head of healthy living at Disney, said: “Disney is committed to supporting the future generation to lead healthier lifestyles and we are in a unique position to inspire families and children to be more active through our characters and the stories they tell.
“So we’re very proud that through our partnership with the FA and the Shooting Stars programme, our storytelling from Incredibles 2, Aladdin and Guardians of the Galaxy is acting as a force for good to encourage girls to get active, build their confidence and participate in playing football.”
Adding to this, baroness Sue Campbell, director of women’s football at the FA, said: “By engaging in the magic of Disney storytelling, the Shooting Stars programme allows girls to develop holistically whilst falling in love with sport, motivating them to participate in physical activity and football.
“These sessions are engaging, help girls develop their confidence and leadership skills and most importantly inspire them to get active at school and at home. Hopefully, this provides a positive starting point to a girls journey in football whereby she can go on to attend a fun football offer with Wildcats or a competitive offer in a mini soccer club.”