Building Confidence Through Football: Orla-Rose's Story

Eight-year-old Orla-Rose, from Jacksdale Primary School, has shared how taking part in the PlayHERS football lunch club helped her develop her skills, grow in confidence and enjoy football even more.

PlayHERS is designed to engage girls in physical activity and build their confidence through football. Delivered by our coaches in weekly lunchtime sessions, the programme provides a safe, inclusive and enjoyable environment where pupils can learn new skills, work as a team and experience the joy of playing sport.

Before joining the club, Orla-Rose already enjoyed football but had limited opportunities to play in a dedicated, female-focused environment. Throughout the programme, she developed her football skills, built positive relationships with her classmates and our coaches, and enjoyed playing as part of a team.

Although Orla-Rose admitted that she initially felt nervous and wasn’t always sure what to do, she became increasingly comfortable as the sessions continued.

“I was quite scared at first because I didn’t really know what to do,” she said. “It’s made me not as shy or nervous anymore.”

Orla-Rose’s parent also highlighted the difference the opportunity has made, describing the confidence boost and excitement it brought her as “amazing to watch.”

Orla-Rose’s experience demonstrates the positive impact that inclusive sporting opportunities can have. By creating a space where girls feel supported to participate, PlayHERS is helping pupils build confidence, develop new skills and deepen their enjoyment of football.

Reflecting on the sessions, Orla-Rose added: “I’m just grateful they came to teach us how to play football.”