Early November saw The Football Association (The FA) and Disney UK team up on a new practical, programme-led initiative to support girls getting more physically active and teach footballing skills through imaginative play-based, Disney-inspired engagement.
The partnership, which also includes the Youth Sport Trust and National Literacy Trust, revolves around a pair of 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.’
The initiative, which launched across 1,200 primary schools in England, sets out to teach physical literacy and see girls learn ‘the fundamentals of football’ through Disney’s inspirational storytelling skills.
The programmes leverage Disney’s storytelling capabilities and tap primarily into two iconic Disney films – Aladdin and Incredibles 2.
The teaching utilities will be supported through a suite of online training resources that will enable every English primary school to sign-up to and deliver the Shooting Stars programme.
The initiative is being promoted by an integrated initiative which spans physical and digital spaces and includes an explanatory video.
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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.
In March 2018, the two harnessed the power of bold fictional females to inspire more girls to participate in football.
“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,” said Disney Head Of Healthy Living Marianthi O’Dwyer whilst discussing the initiative.
“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.”
Director of Women’s Football at The FA Baroness Sue Campbell added: “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.”
Links:
The FA
https://www.facebook.com/EnglandTeam
https://www.instagram.com/england/
https://www.youtube.com/user/fatv
Disney
https://www.youtube.com/user/WaltDisneyStudiosUK
https://www.instagram.com/disneyuk
https://www.facebook.com/DisneyUK
Youth Sport Trust
https://www.youthsporttrust.org/
National Literacy Trust
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