Local girls represent Bolton Wanderers in Premier League Kicks Cup 2024
More than 180 girls from across England and Wales travelled to St George’s Park National Football Centre last week, to take part in the Under-16 girls’ Premier League Kicks Cup.
Delivered by the Premier League Charitable Fund, 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 League’s commitment to increasing opportunities for girls and young women to play. More than 27,000 girls and young women took part in Premier League Kicks sessions last season.
Established in Season 2006/07, Premier League Kicks sees 89 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.
Bolton Wanderers took part in the Under-16 girls’ tournament, for the chance to lift the 2024 Premier League Kicks Cup. Teams were also recognised for respect throughout the tournament, with fair play trophies awarded by Premier League, EFL and WSL match officials.
Premier League Charitable Fund Chief Executive, Ruth Shaw OBE, said: “For over 17 years Premier League Kicks has provided free access to sport for young people across the country. Last season alone Premier League Kicks engaged more than 27,000 girls and young women, helping them to reach their potential on and off the pitch.
“This year’s Premier League Kicks Cup Under-16 girls’ tournament offers a fantastic opportunity for young people from different backgrounds to come together to play at the home of all 23 of England’s national football teams. It’s an experience they will never forget.”
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 550 girls representing more than 70 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.
Thanks to the Premier League’s official ball supplier, Nike, all fixtures across the event will be played with the season 2024/25 Nike FA24 skill balls.
Liverpool Women’s Missy Bo Kearns was on-hand to motivate and encourage the teams throughout the event, with participants also set to receive a customisable Nike gym sack and the chance to capture their involvement in the tournament in a 360-degree photobooth, as part of the programme’s commitment to creating opportunities both on and off the pitch.
And, as part of Nike’s global commitment to expanding girls’ access to sport, all participants will leave the event with a Nike Sports bra, helping to break down barriers to participation and ensure that no participant stops playing football because they don’t have access to the right apparel.
Alongside the participant focused activities, representatives from professional football club charities, EA Sports, Barclays and the FA joined the Premier League and Premier League Charitable Fund at Premier League Kicks Cup, to explore further opportunities to work together to increase access for girls into football activity and future footballing pathways.
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. Between 2022-25, the Premier League is investing £21m into women’s and girls’ football.
Within this is £10.5m for the grassroots game including £5.25m for the FA’s network of Girls’ Emerging Talent Centres (ETCs) and £3m for a new strategy for the FA Women’s National League. The Premier League also provides wide-ranging support to women and girls through its facilities funding and community programmes.
More than 100,000 girls and young women take part in Premier League community programmes each year and over 5,000 girls are part of the FA’s network of 73 girls’ Emerging Talent Centres.
To find out more about the Premier League’s commitment to increasing girls’ participation, please visit premierleague.com.