BELIEVE IN HER GAME

Everyone’s favourite football coach, Ted Lasso, is back with a new season, which sees Ted coaching a women’s football team with a lot of spirit despite the many obstacles in their way.

At Play it Forward, we support 58 girls and young women for whom playing football is a gateway to education and healthcare. Like the women’s team in Ted Lasso, and girls who play football around the world, our girls’ and women’s teams share the same spirit and face many of the same obstacles.

In the UK, anxiety around periods is one of the main reasons why teenage girls stop participating in sport – 64% stop participating before the age of 17. And for many girls the cost of a sports bra is prohibitive. The same is true for girls in Zambia where there is widespread period poverty and sports bras are sports bras are unaffordable for many families.

With your support, we can provide all 58 girls and young women with a sports bra that fits and enough period products to last for a year.

Help ensure girls don’t miss out on football, education and healthcare.

HELP SUPPORT GIRLS

What your support means to girls

Ethel, 17, from Livingstone, Zambia, loves football and dreams of achieving her goals on and off the pitch.

As a player in Play It Forward Zambia’s girls’ football programme, football has become more than just a game for Ethel. It has helped her build confidence, develop leadership skills, and believe in her potential both on and off the pitch.

But like many girls, Ethel faces challenges that can affect her ability to participate fully in sport.

“Football makes me feel strong and confident,” she says. “But during my period, I sometimes worry about training or playing matches. Having access to sanitary pads and a proper sports bra would mean I could focus on my game and enjoy playing without feeling uncomfortable.”

For girls like Ethel, these essentials are not luxuries; they are the difference between missing out and staying in the game.

GIRLS IN ZAMBIA

2.28

million girls lack menstrual products at school in Zambia

28%

of girls miss an average of two days of school each month because of their periods.

6 in 10

girls fear playing sports due to period leaks

“Until now, I have been unable to play with confidence because running caused me discomfort. A sports bra would help me focus on my game, not my discomfort.”

Bertha, aged 15

WHY BELIEVE IN HER GAME MATTERS

Football is more than a game for the 58 girls and young women we support in Zambia. It provides a pathway to education and healthcare while helping players build confidence, friendships and ambition.

But period poverty and the cost of suitable sportswear can prevent girls from training and competing comfortably. Missing sessions can mean missing out on far more than football.

Believe in Her Game will provide every player with a supportive sports bra and reliable period products – helping her stay comfortable, confident and in the game.

When a girl can keep playing, she can keep learning, growing and pursuing her ambitions – on and off the pitch.

Choose what your donation could provide

£5

could provide period products for one player for a month.

£20

could provide a supportive sports bra for one player.

£50

could provide a sports bra and six months of period products.

£100

could support one player for a full year.