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Game of Our Own

Summary research report

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About this document

This document is intended to provide headline statistics for the media on the quantitative study into girls’ experiences of the Game of Our Own programme while also taking into consideration what their experiences of football were before being involved in the programme.

The Youth Sport Trust (YST) commissioned Research as Evidence in September 2017, to conduct an independent evaluation of its Girls’ Football Programmes, commissioned by the Football Association (FA), focusing specifically on the Game of Our Own programme. The research involved pre-programme and post programme surveys amongst participating girls (2,091 total sample) and 22 schools. The independent evaluation of the programme took place from Oct 2017- August 2018.

Background to the programme

Game of Our Own is a programme delivered by children’s charity the Youth Sport Trust thanks to funding from the FA. It supports

teenage girls in secondary schools to learn leadership skills and ignite their passion for the game, so they can deliver football

sessions to girls their own age when they return to school and their community to get more girls into the game.

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Headline statistics

Increases to participation in football

- 86% of teachers agree that Game of Our Own has increased participation in football activities in their school.

- They now have role models to look up to with the Football Activators offering ongoing peer led support.

Increased attendance at extracurricular events

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Describe how your school delivered the Game of Our Own girls' football clubs.

% of leads

I utilised an existing girls' football club 60%

I started a new girls' football club 35%

Other (please specify) 5%

Post programme Project Leads survey 2018, n = 20

Changing perceptions of football

- The ‘This Girl Can’ video really helped girls feel like football was a sport they could do.

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Developing skills and knowledge through Game of Our Own

- Girls reported improved wellbeing and increased life skills including; resilience, confidence, leadership, teamworking and empathy.

- There was increased knowledge of football among staff.

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Post survey – The value of football

What has worked well for the activators?

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Recommendations