A group of Oasis Academy Mayfield teenagers take part in football leadership programme

It’s kick off time at a Southampton secondary school who, with FA and Barclays supported by the Youth Sport Trust have the ambition to ensure that every girl has equal access to football in school by 2024.

Oasis Academy Mayfield situated in the heart of Southampton who are taking part in the FA 2020/21 game of our own leadership programme – supported by Barclays.

This programme aims to provide girls the opportunity to design, create and deliver football opportunities for their peers, and includes a mix of virtual events including workshop materials for deliverers and marketeers, and the support needed for your team of Girls’ Football Activators to inspire other girls at school by organising an event during National School Sport Week in June 2021.

Laura Palmer, Head of Physical Education at Oasis Academy Mayfield, commented saying; “The FA Game Of Our Own Leadership Programme supported by Barclays is an incredible opportunity to empower the next generation of female leaders and I am so excited that we are a part of it. The fact that this programme gives the girls involved the training and skills needed to design and create sessions means that they can make sure that they are delivering football activities that their peers want to be involved in.”

“I am proud of the 13 girls involved in the programme and their initial ideas about how they’re going to engage new and different girls to be involved in football at the academy… I can’t wait to see how their ideas develop and are put in to action.”

The key dates students are looking are keeping a close eye on include; Inspire Launch – Wednesday 5th May 2021, Develop Workshops – May – June, Reflect Workshops – June, and National School Sport Week – 20th – 25th June 2021.

Amber Woodford, Year 10 Student at Oasis Academy Mayfield said; “The launch event was really inspiring, it was great to be part of something that involves over 2000 girls across the country and I can’t wait to get start planning how to get more girls involved in football at Mayfield!”

Amy Palmer, Year 10 added; “I’m really excited to be involved in the FA Game Of Our Own Leadership Programme supported by Barclays as I think it is going to help all of us in the group develop our confidence and skills to encourage all girls to get involved in football in some way.”