Richard Luscombe More than 150 girls from across England and Wales have travelled to Warwick University’s Cryfield Sports Pavilion today, to take part in the Under-16 girls’ Premier League Kicks Cup.
The Under-16 girls’ tournament is one of the competition elements of the Premier League’s flagship community programme, Premier League Kicks, and celebrates the Premier League’s commitment to increasing opportunities for girls and young women to play. More than 21,000 girls and young women have taken part in Premier League Kicks sessions this season to date.
Established in Season 2006/07, Premier League Kicks sees more than 90 professional football clubs, in some of the most high-need areas in England and Wales, run free weekly football sessions and positive activities to inspire young people to reach their potential.
Argyle Community Trust will be taking part in the Under-16 girls’ tournament, for the chance to lift the 2023 Premier League Kicks Cup. Teams will also be recognised for respect throughout the tournament, with fair play trophies awarded by Premier League, EFL and WSL match officials.
Premier League Head of Community Nick Perchard said: “The Premier League is committed to promoting equality and diversity in all we do, and this year’s Premier League Kicks Cup Under-16 girls’ tournament provides an amazing opportunity for young people from different backgrounds to come together and represent their clubs.
“It’s important that we provide more opportunities for girls and young women to play and develop in sport. The Premier League Kicks Cup Under-16 girls’ tournament is another example of this commitment, and builds on the League’s support for the game, which includes funding for The FA’s Emerging Talent Centres and pathways for girls aged eight to 16.”
The Premier League Kicks Cup Under-16 girls’ tournament is a celebration of how Premier League Kicks connects young people with football, providing positive opportunities to help them to reach their potential.
More than 500 girls representing more than 60 professional football clubs across England and Wales took part in regional qualifying tournaments earlier this year, in the hope of earning the chance to play in the Premier League Kicks Cup finals, in the playing kit of their professional football club side.
Argyle Community Trust Community Engagement Project Manager Alice Young said: “We have a proud history of women’s and girls’ football at Argyle as we continue to promote inclusion, diversity, and break barriers to participation. The girls are really excited to be taking part.
“Special thanks go to Thrifty for making this possible and for giving the girls this wonderful opportunity. Through our Transport Partnership, we have access to Thrifty vehicles which has enabled us to attend todays flagship Premier League event.”
Liverpool Women’s Taylor Hinds will be on-hand to motivate and encourage the teams throughout the event, and the players’ mental health and wellbeing will be supported through a series of workshops and off the pitch activities, including social media sessions and journaling activities designed to encourage participants to talk about their emotions.
Thanks to the Premier League’s official ball supplier, Nike, Master Trainers will be delivering warm-up activities, and all participants will have the chance to capture their involvement in the tournament in the Panini photobooth, thanks to the League’s official sticker and trading card licensee.
Argyle Community Trust began its girls and young women Premier League Kicks provision in 2016 and since then has supported 2,275 young females through 936 sessions.
More than 100,000 girls and young women took part in Premier League funded community programmes in Season 2021/22.
The Premier League is committed to providing better accessibility and more inclusivity for young female players and enhancing player development from grassroots to the elite game.
In addition to supporting girls and young women to access through its community programmes, the League is also investing £21m into women’s and girls’ football over three years. This includes £5.25m to more than double the number of girls (to over 4,200) on the pathway to professional football through Emerging Talent Centres.
To find out more about the Premier League’s commitment to increasing girls’ participation, please visit premierleague.com.
