Aurora want to give something back to girls in our local community. We want girls to feel confident and strong in whatever they choose to do. That is why we decided to sponsor a girls football team. It is through sport that self-esteem can grow and we have loved watching the girls grow in confidence since we first started sponsoring them in 2019.

A recent study by Women in Sport, 'found that more than 1 million girls who thought of themselves as sporty at primary school lose interest in physical activity as teenagers..." Reasons include "a fear of being judged and a lack of confidence were the main reasons cited for a waning interest in sport among teenage girls. Its poll of more than 4,000 teenagers found that 43% of girls felt they were sporty at primary pupils but no longer saw themselves this way. This would equate to 1.3 million girls across the UK, the survey pointed out."

Worryingly, girls lose their love of sport and exercise during teenage years, and this presents a significant psychological barrier throughout life, the report says. (Guardian, 2022)

The team started with just a small group of girls in 2019 and in 2022 there are now two teams and 32 girls playing every week. We want that to continue and for these girls to be supported through their teenage years.

If you want to support the girls with kit and equipment 100% of this fund will go to them. Help us to help them feel comfortable, so they can smash against the stereotypes, feeling strong and confident!

Strong women, may we know them, may we be them, may we raise them!