On Thursday 17 November, we partnered with Nike FC and Girls Super League to host a unique experience for 160 girls from across London at the home of football, Wembley Stadium.
Hosted by dynamic duo, Mollie and Rosie Kmita, this once in a lifetime event was a celebration of grassroots girl’s football in London.
Participants aged 10 to 16 were presented with branded kit on arrival and directed towards the team changing rooms. As players walked out of the tunnel onto the pitch, they were met by professional Nike trainers Jamie Velocity and Anthony Aluko, Tottenham Hotspur Women’s Head Coach Rehanne Skinner and former England and Arsenal captain Rachel Yankey, who each delivered technical skill sessions from passing to dribbling and shooting.
As each group of players rotated between these on-pitch activities they were also invited to take part in yoga sessions with Nike yoga teacher, Sam Vora and Zhila White and a workshop delivered by educational charity Football Beyond Borders. This workshop centred around the experience of being a girl in football, based on FFB’s social and emotional learning curriculum. Attendees heard from female and non-binary practitioners on their journey and in return were asked “What makes you, you?” and to draw their own identity map.
Following the final rotation between the various activities on offer, all 160 girls took part in a series of mini-games on the very same pitch that their idols sealed a historic European Championship win earlier this year.
As games drew to a close, Tottenham Hotspur Women player Asmita Ale joined for a Q&A session and the presenting of official England Women kits to participants who displayed exceptional levels of teamwork and fair play throughout the event.
BOXPARK Wembley was the final destination of the event with all participants invited to enjoy food and refreshments to round off a very exciting day.
Romina Calatayud, Girls United Founder and CEO said: “This really is what it’s all about and I’m very grateful to Nike and the FA for this incredible opportunity to make memories that last a lifetime for all involved, myself included. After the inspiration we felt during this summer’s Euro, we have looked for ways to ensure the legacy reaches girls everywhere – this is a completely unique and impactful way to bring the grassroots together with the growth of the game and make dreams come true!"