{"id":287369,"date":"2023-09-12T15:20:04","date_gmt":"2023-09-12T15:20:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsloveme.com\/?p=287369"},"modified":"2023-09-12T15:20:04","modified_gmt":"2023-09-12T15:20:04","slug":"football-campaign-encourages-girls-to-have-more-kickabouts-in-local-communities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsloveme.com\/soccer\/football-campaign-encourages-girls-to-have-more-kickabouts-in-local-communities\/","title":{"rendered":"Football campaign encourages girls to have more kickabouts in local communities"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lionesses\u2019 legend Fara Williams MBE has backed a campaign to save the humble football kickabout amid concerns kids have less space than ever to play.<\/p>\n

The 39-year-old was capped 177 times for England and scored 40 international goals in a career that included stints at Everton, Liverpool, Arsenal and Reading. <\/p>\n

But it started modestly \u2013 with her first taste of football taking place on concrete council estates in south-west London.<\/p>\n

And now, after a poll of 530 children aged six to 16 who live in urban areas found 44% have \u2018nowhere\u2019 nearby for a kickabout, the ex-Lioness is determined future generations don\u2019t miss out.<\/p>\n

She has teamed up with Weetabix to launch a new campaign called \u2018Balls Allowed' – which is helping more girls play football by placing pop-up goals in urban areas across the country including London, Leeds, and Manchester.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

It aims to raise awareness of barriers to kickabouts in public spaces – including \u2018no balls allowed\u2019 signs, which aren't always legally enforceable – after 38% said such signs have deterred them.<\/p>\n

Fara Williams said: \u201cFor me, it all started on a council estate.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing able to have a kickabout in my local community was my first step to discovering a love for football.<\/p>\n

\u201cWithout it, I wouldn\u2019t be where I am today, I wouldn\u2019t have been a Lioness.<\/p>\n

\u201cI really hope more girls get the opportunity to play \u2013 both in their communities (through the Balls Allowed goals) and at grassroot programmes such as the Weetabix Wildcats.\u201d<\/p>\n

The study also found 55% of boys and girls are more interested in playing football than they were before, thanks to this year\u2019s endeavours by the Lionesses. <\/p>\n

While it also emerged 11% think they could \u2018definitely\u2019 make it as pro footballer \u2013 with 23% describing themselves as \u2018very good\u2019.<\/p>\n

But regardless of their current level of ability, 53% polled fear a lack of space to play could hold them back in their attempt to become a pro player like Fara Williams.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n