Since the inception of Girls United in 2017 we’re incredibly proud to have supported over 1,000 girls through our clubs’ programme. And as we look ahead to 2021, we can’t wait to watch this number continue to grow. As well as supporting over 1,000 girls, to date we’ve also:
Provided 3,100+ hours of football provision for girls and women
Trained over 80 coaches to create social change
Opened 7 football clubs specifically for girls in deprived communities
Whilst we’re extremely proud of everything that we’ve achieved so far, we’re also continually looking for ways that we can improve and develop as an organisation. As we do this, it’s vital that we never lose sight of the reason why we first started – to use the power of football to have a positive impact on the lives of young girls all over the world. That’s why it’s important to us that we take the time to reflect on the girls that have been involved in Girls United thus far and understand the way in which the programme has had an impact on their lives.
Lulu’s Story
Lulu at Club London in 2018
Lulu first joined Girls United in 2018 and quickly became an integral part of our ever-growing community. She’s gone from strength to strength through the programme, and in July 2020 she raised a phenomenal £2,500 for a new Girls United Community Programme. 5 months later, we opened a new club for girls in Jose Maria Morelos in Quintana Roo, Mexico as a direct result of Lulu’s amazing work.
Club Jose Maria Morelos in Mexico
We’re extremely grateful to Lulu for everything she’s done at GU, and we wanted to hear more about what the community means to her. Here’s what Lulu had to say:
What made you come along to your first GU session?
I was looking for a club to play for where I could play with other girls in my age group. Girls United was a new club in the area, so I decided to give it a go and 2 years later I’m still here!
Do you remember your first session? How did you find it?
I remember feeling excited, but a bit nervous about giving it a go. However, the coaches were amazing and were able to adapt all the games and drills to suit the session and the different abilities that were there. I was very impressed! I couldn’t wait to go again.
What have you learnt through joining GU?
Being a part of the Girls United community has taught me how important it is to recognise your strengths and believe in yourself. It has given me a newfound confidence both on and off the pitch. I’ve also learnt how important it is to support and encourage other people too – I’ve made a lot of great friends at GU!
How does being a part of GU make you feel?
I absolutely love being a part of GU. I feel very inspired by all of the other amazing girls that I play alongside and love being a part of such an inclusive team. At the core of it, we all just love football and it’s great to be able to share that.
Lulu’s fundraiser campaign from July 2020
What does football mean to you?
Football is everything to me. It makes me really happy and gives me an opportunity to relax and play with my friends. I know that GU is always there for me, no matter what I’m going through in life.
What would you say to someone that wants to get into football but doesn’t know where to start?
Club Jose Maria Morelos training session in December 2020
It’s just about taking that first step and getting along to a session. Do a bit of research into what clubs are local to you and then if you feel worried, encourage some friends to go along with you too! Then once you’re there just relax and enjoy it – you’ll quickly fall in love with it.
How does it make you feel to know that there is a football club in Mexico giving girls the opportunity to play football thanks to your fundraiser? Why is it important to you?
The fundraiser was only a success because of the support from the GU team and everyone who took part or donated. It is so nice to know that the money we raised as a club can give other girls an opportunity to play football and get involved in the amazing Girls United community. It’s so important that we all play a small part in helping Girls United grow as this will give more and more people the chance to take part and be involved in football.
Lulu’s story is incredibly inspiring and reminds us of the amazing impact that our girls can have, when they’re given the tools to do so. And afterall, helping to provide them with those right tools is why we’re here!
“Lulu has been on a personal journey of development since joining Girls United. It has seen her become a valued member of her team throughout the whole Girls United community. Lulu has an open-mindset which has seen her take on many invitations and initiatives such as coaching, volunteering and officiating qualifications. Lulu is a well liked person within our club and is able to connect with players, coaches and the community to share our values and aims in an inspiring way”.
- Abigail Ingram, London Club Manager
“I remember meeting Lulu at the very first Girls United London session, she came along with her sister, her mum and her dog – from those early sessions, she and her family understood the deeper mission of what we wanted to achieve at Girls United. It has been wonderful watching her dedication and development over the last couple years. I see her as a player that inspires and leads by example within her team. When we had the opportunity to bring 4 players from our Mexico programmes to London for a tournament, Lulu immediately made them feel welcome within the team in spite of the language barriers – those players in Mexico ask me about how she is doing all the time”.
- Romina Calatayud, Founder & CEO
Now it’s your turn to help…
We’ve come a long way since we first started, but we don’t want to stop there. We want to use the power of sport to change as many lives as possible. To do so, we need YOUR support.
By becoming a Global Member, like Lulu, you will become an integral part of the Girls United community and can help to:
Create jobs in low-income communities
Build pathways for young girls and arm them with transferable skills that will support them in all avenues of life
Tackle harassment and abuse towards young girls by offering better opportunities
Give coaches access to resources, development opportunities and pathways
If you share our passion for using the power of sport to inflict change, then it’s time for you to join us. Every young girl has a right to realise and pursue their dreams, and with your help they will be able to do just that. Find out more about our Global Membership and make a direct, positive impact on the lives of hundreds of girls - today!