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A football initiative helping young girls across Merseyside build confidence, teamwork and life skills has been named Sports Initiative of the Year at the Manchester & North West England Prestige Awards.
Run in partnership between Merseyside Police, Liverpool County FA, LFC Foundation and Everton in the Community, the She Inspires programme uses football to engage vulnerable young girls and help them access local support networks. The initiative is funded by Merseyside Police’s Chief Constable and the Police and Crime Commissioner.
During the 2024-25 season, She Inspires supported 800 female pupils in Years 8 and 9 across 40 Liverpool secondary schools. Each school took part in themed workshops focused on building confidence, leadership and teamwork, supported by community role models and emergency service representatives.
The season’s highlight was a series of large-scale engagement events at Liverpool County FA’s Sefton home. Pupils took part in football sessions delivered by partners and met organisations offering mentoring, career guidance and wellbeing support, including representatives from the emergency services.
The programme also gave pupils the chance to visit Anfield and Goodison Park for stadium tours and football activities, with meals provided free of charge by the Liverpool Rapid Relief Team.
Next year, She Inspires will expand into primary schools, doubling the number of girls involved to around 1,600.
The initiative has previously received a Community First Award from the Merseyside Police Chief Constable and a County FA Recognition Award from The Football Association.
“This initiative is all about empowering young women through sport, building confidence, and creating safe spaces where they can thrive. It’s a testament to the hard work of our teams and partners who have helped make She Inspires a success across Merseyside.”
Rob Carden, Chief Constable.
Merseyside Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell added: “This award reflects the programme’s powerful impact in empowering young women through sport, leadership and community engagement. I look forward to seeing it continue to grow and show girls that anything is possible.”
Anthony Smith, Chief Executive of Liverpool FA, said the award is a recognition of “the hard work and dedication of everyone involved – and in particular the young women who continue to embrace the opportunities the programme provides.”
He added that as She Inspires enters its fourth year, it will continue to focus on key issues such as confidence, communication and leadership, as well as raising awareness around violence against women and girls and healthy relationships.
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