Sporting Influence Foundation Launches Two Major Primary School Initiatives for 2024/25: Play2EmpowHER and SportABILITY

The Sporting Influence Foundation is proud to announce the launch of two transformative initiatives aimed at increasing sports participation, boosting confidence, and developing inclusion across Primary Schools for the 2025/26 academic year. The programmes—Play2EmpowHER and SportABILITY—will be delivered during curriculum time and are designed to inspire and empower children from all backgrounds and abilities.

Together, these initiatives reflect the Foundation’s mission to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive through sport. 

Play2EmpowHER: Inspiring the Next Generation of Girls in Football

Despite the rapid growth of women’s football in recent years, many primary-aged girls still face barriers to participation, including confidence gaps, limited opportunities, or a lack of female role models in sport. Play2EmpowHER has been developed to directly address these challenges.

Delivered by specialist coaches trained in both football and confidence-building practices, Play2EmpowHER aims to:

• Increase girls’ participation in football through fun, engaging, and accessible sessions
• Build confidence and self-belief in young girls who may feel underrepresented in sport
• Celebrate positive female role models, both within the coaching team and across the wider sporting world
• Create a safe and supportive space where girls feel encouraged to try new skills, take risks, and enjoy being active

The programme uses football as a vehicle for personal development—helping girls learn teamwork, resilience, leadership, and communication. Each session combines active learning with fun challenges, ensuring girls leave feeling uplifted, empowered, and excited for more. 

SportABILITY: Inclusive Sports Participation for Children with Disabilities

SportABILITY is the Foundation’s new flagship inclusion project, designed to empower children with a wide range of disabilities or additional needs to take part in PE and sport confidently and joyfully. Recognising that traditional PE lessons can sometimes feel overwhelming or inaccessible, this initiative brings adapted sports directly into schools, ensuring every child can participate meaningfully.

Key aims of SportABILITY include:

Providing adapted, accessible sports sessions tailored to each child’s physical, sensory, or cognitive needs

Removing barriers to participation by using specialised equipment, simplified rules, and clear visual communication techniques

Encouraging positive experiences of physical activity, allowing children to move, play, and succeed in their own way

Promoting a culture of inclusion across whole school communities

Celebrating diverse abilities, ensuring children feel valued, seen, and supported

Staff work closely with teaching staff, SEN teams, and support workers to create sessions that are both meaningful and enjoyable for every child.

A Unified Vision for Primary Schools 

Although Play2EmpowHER and SportABILITY have distinct focuses, they share an overarching goal: ensuring all children—regardless of gender, ability, or background—have equal access to the benefits of sport.

These benefits go far beyond physical fitness. Research shows that regular participation in structured sport helps children develop stronger social skills, improved self-esteem, emotional resilience, and better concentration in the classroom. By embedding these programmes into the school day, the Sporting Influence Foundation is contributing to healthier, happier, more confident learners. 

“We believe that every child deserves the chance to feel included, confident, and inspired through sport. With Play2EmpowHER and SportABILITY, we’re breaking down barriers and giving children the tools to succeed” — Chris Doey, Director, Sporting Influence Foundation

Looking Ahead

Throughout the 2025/26 academic year, the Foundation will be partnering with Primary Schools across the region to deliver these initiatives, offering coaching, resources, and ongoing support. 

Schools can expect high-quality delivery, innovative activity design, and a strong emphasis on wellbeing.

The Foundation will also be sharing success stories, pupil journeys, and impact highlights throughout the year to showcase the difference these programmes are making in the lives of young people.

Get Involved

Primary schools interested in the Play2EmpowHER or SportABILITY initiatives can contact the Sporting Influence Foundation for further information, programme outlines, or to book in to our diary!

Together, we can ensure that every child has the chance to play, grow, and shine.

Contact:chrisdoey.sifoundation@gmail.com