The very first Alessia Cup begins November 6th! It will bring together 180 talented girls aged 12-14 from state secondary schools in north and east London. We co-hosted the tournament with the local charity Goals 4 Girls. Through sport, we aim to help young women develop the confidence, resilience and leadership skills that translate outside of the football pitch.
The timing of this tournament is critical, as research indicates that participation in sports among girls often declines significantly during adolescence. The Goals 4 Girls charity focuses directly on this crucial age demographic. It works to remove the obstacles that make girls quit sports. These barriers are things like low self-confidence, body image issues, limited representation in sports and a lack of relatable role models.
Forward Russo, who plays for England, is determined to address these challenges. She’s dedicated to empowering and promoting the involvement of young girls in sports, so they don’t feel intimidated. She emphasizes the importance of creating an inclusive space. This environment must promote self-confidence and empower girls to engage in all forms of movement.
Goals 4 Girls takes an innovative three-pillar approach to their work, integrating football training with personal development and mental health practices. This comprehensive approach builds athletic performance. It addresses inequality directly, giving girls the confidence they need to succeed both on and off the pitch. By incorporating mental health resources into their programming, Goals 4 Girls is making sure participants are getting support in a more holistic way.
The event aims to connect the girls with their like-minded peers and new mentors. Its vision is to develop a lifelong connection to sport for all of them. The competition will emphasize the importance of remaining active in sports during those key adolescent years. Unfortunately, girls today face challenges that undermine their self-worth and confidence.
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