Liverpool FC Encourages Young Girls to ‘Play On’ with New Campaign
Sport forms the foundations of many of our lives, whether we watch or actively participate – and for us Reds, Liverpool are at the heart of it. But research shows that girls are more likely than boys to drop out of sport and physical activity during their teenage years, with barriers to entry continually changing and evolving. To combat this, Liverpool have partnered with sponsor Standard Chartered to launch the ‘Play On’ campaign, which encourages young girls to continue in sport.
The Power of ‘I Quit’
You may have recently seen a strong message from a number of first-team members from Jurgen Klopp‘s squad saying, “I Quit.” It was a sobering message that showcased the reasons why young girls step away from sport. Klopp has played his part too, giving a team talk for his players to be brave and not give up – but he was not talking to the likes of Thiago or Jordan Henderson but instead inspiring the next generation of young women. It is a powerful campaign and an important one too, removing barriers to entry is key to engaging young women and creating an experience they want to be part of for years to come.
Ben Latty, commercial director at Liverpool, explains: “We are so proud to be involved in this pioneering campaign, and to put our full support behind it. The first instalments of the ‘Play On’ campaign have grabbed headlines, and rightly so, and brought this important issue to the top of the agenda.”
The Benefits of Playing On
The four-year campaign aims to combat the dropout of young girls in sport by showcasing the benefits of playing on the pitch and what it can do for their lives off it. The campaign comes ahead of the women’s World Cup this summer and it is brilliant to see Liverpool actively engaging in supporting girls to continue playing both at home and abroad. A ‘Train the Trainer’ programme will launch in Asia and Africa, where coaches from LFC Soccer Schools and the Foundation will offer a coaching programme delivered exclusively to women and girls. Who knows, one day one of them may grow up to be a Red.
The Impact of ‘Play On’
The ‘Play On’ campaign is a great initiative that will have a positive impact on young girls around the world. It will help to remove barriers that prevent young girls from continuing in sport, and will also help to create an environment that encourages them to stay involved. The campaign has already been successful in raising awareness about the issue, and it is hoped that it will continue to inspire more young girls to stay active in sport.
Conclusion
Liverpool FC have taken an important step in encouraging young girls to stay involved in sport with their ‘Play On’ campaign. The initiative has already had a positive impact on raising awareness about the issue, and it is hoped that it will continue to inspire more young girls to stay active in sport. With this in mind, Liverpool are making an effort to eliminate as many hurdles as possible when it comes to young girls continuing to play sport.