Former Lioness Jill Scott Champions Sport Opportunities For North East Girls

Former England Lioness and Sunderland-born football star Jill Scott has joined forces with a major regional initiative designed to inspire more girls across the North East to take part in sport and physical activity.

The campaign, known as Get Girls Playing, is being led by Sunderland-based Foundation of Light and will see a month-long programme of events, activities and opportunities take place throughout June. Organisers hope the initiative will encourage more girls to discover the benefits of sport while helping break down barriers that can often prevent young people from getting involved.

With participation events planned across Sunderland and the wider North East, the campaign aims to ensure that no girl feels left on the sidelines.

Month Of Activities Planned Across The Region.

Throughout June, hundreds of girls will be given the opportunity to take part in football sessions, school competitions, pathway trials and community sports events. The programme has been designed to cater for all ability levels, from those trying sport for the first time to young players looking to take their involvement to the next stage.

Organisers believe creating welcoming and accessible opportunities is key to increasing participation and helping young people develop confidence through sport.

The initiative forms part of the wider Together Through Sport campaign, which focuses on promoting equality, inclusion and participation across communities in the North East. The campaign highlights the role sport can play in improving physical health, mental wellbeing and social connections for young people.

Jill Scott Calls For More Girls To Get Involved.

Jill Scott, who enjoyed a hugely successful football career with England and remains one of the country's most recognisable sporting figures, said the campaign is about showing girls that sport is open to everyone.

The former Lioness believes initiatives such as Get Girls Playing can help inspire the next generation by creating positive experiences and encouraging girls to become active in a supportive environment.

She said there are plenty of opportunities available throughout June for young people to take part, enjoy themselves and discover a new passion for sport. She also encouraged girls to bring friends along and experience the social side of being involved in local sporting activities.

Regional Organisations Unite Behind The Campaign.

The Together Through Sport programme brings together several leading sporting organisations from across the region. Partners include Foundation of Light, Newcastle United Foundation, Durham Cricket Foundation, Eagles Community Foundation and Newcastle Rugby Foundation.

The collaboration is supported by North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and aims to increase access to sport while helping tackle inequalities that can prevent participation.

Lesley Spuhler, Chief Executive of Foundation of Light, said sport can have a transformative impact on young people's lives by improving confidence, wellbeing, friendships and future opportunities. She added that creating more opportunities for girls and young women remains a key priority for the organisation.

Encouraging The Next Generation Across Newcastle And The North East.

Campaign leaders hope the initiative will leave a lasting impact long after June has ended. By creating more opportunities and raising awareness of existing pathways into sport, organisers believe more girls will feel empowered to take part regularly.

As women's football and female participation in sport continue to grow across the UK, campaigns like Get Girls Playing are expected to play an important role in helping young people across Newcastle, Sunderland and the wider North East stay active and engaged.

Families interested in taking part can find further information and a full schedule of events through the Foundation of Light website.

Do you think enough is being done to encourage girls into sport across Newcastle and the North East?