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October 4, 2024
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and insurance company Aviva have unveiled ‘In Her Boots’ to aid the development of girls in football. The free education and awareness-based program intends to empower the football volunteer workforce who train girls aged 9-16. It is designed to inspire, educate and support girls in their football journey and is endorsed by Shamrock Rovers captain and now ‘In Her Boots’ ambassador Áine O’Gorman.
Nearly a third of girls who play football stop playing by the time they reach their late teens, compared to one in ten boys. A quarter of girls hang up their boots due to pressures to do well in school, while others quit because of body insecurities, bullying and not seeing a clear career pathway into the sport. FAI aims to boost the development of girls’ and women’s football through its 2019-2024 strategy, which is helping to reverse these statistics. Key highlights include a 613% increase in the number of registered girls/women players since the strategy launch in 2019 and 93 women football leader graduates in total.
‘In Her Boots’ builds on this progress and addresses the need to keep girls engaged in sports when many drop out due to a lack of encouragement, role models or access to resources. The program will educate parents, coaches and clubs on key areas such as injury reduction and nutrition. Physiotherapist Angela Kenneally, performance coach Ivi Casagrande and nutritionist Dr. Brendan Egan from the Ireland Women’s National Team (WNT) developed the initiatives workshops. FAI Development Officers will roll out these workshops across the country, providing young athletes with the knowledge they need to protect their bodies, health and wellbeing.
Hannah Dingley, FAI Head of Women & Girls’ Football, said: “It is vital that we recognize that there are physiological differences between male and female players. ‘In Her Boots’ is an innovative program designed to educate coaches on the best ways to support our female players to reduce injuries, build confidence and ultimately ensure they stay engaged in the game.”
The program will help to provide a better environment for girls across Ireland by offering workshops, mentorship and practical support through tools and resources for parents and coaches to keep girls in sport. It ensures that coaches better understand the many aspects of training girls, including growth spurts and supporting girls through their development. The initiative also provides guidance on creating an inclusive environment with the right facilities, kit and equipment to foster long-term participation. Parents, coaches and clubs are encouraged to sign up for the ‘In Her Boots’ workshops taking place October 14 – November 29.
“The ‘In Her Boots’ program is a powerful way for us to help bridge the gender participation gap and ensure that young girls have the resources and inspiration they need to stay involved in football,” said Caroline Cummins, Sponsorship Manager at Aviva.
Photos: FAI
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