The initiative, which starts on 1 October, will provide sessions focused on leadership, mentoring, health and wellbeing, community engagement and advocacy. These sessions will be led by experts and players, including Liverpool forward Aurélie Csillag, who is excited and proud to be a part of the initiative. Csillag believes that a lack of role models and not being able to access football opportunities may deter black and marginalised girls and women from playing football.
Research provided by Liverpool found that girls as young as five feel they do not belong in sport and only 30% of parents believe playing sport is important. The research also found that despite 60% of black girls wanting to be an elite athlete, they are the least active group of girls in England. Csillag hopes that the initiative will help to improve women's football for black people and create a more inclusive environment.
Csillag also believes that visibility starts at the top, and that having black people in staff positions, higher up, is crucial for inspiring young girls to follow their dreams. The club is encouraging other sports organisations to adopt similar types of programmes and is hoping to expand the initiative in the future.
People can register their interest in the initiative at any time, and sessions will begin on 1 October. The club is committed to creating sustainable change for participants, the foundation, the club, and the wider community.