Epic Partners work to improve the lives of children and families in St Ann’s and Sneinton, a deprived area of Nottingham. In partnership with local schools, they deliver programmes that add enrichment to children’s lives both in school and out in the community. ‘Girls only’ football sessions began after consultation and feedback highlighted that some girls feel intimidated by mixed group activities and that they are particularly vulnerable to bullying, abuse and coercion.

The ‘Epic Girls’ football project engages around 65 girls from 3 different primary schools, some of whom feed into the community session, run by Epic staff, with the aim of eventually encouraging some of the girls into SAS Girls FC (St Ann’s and Sneinton Girls Football Club). Many girls who play with Epic want to play football on a casual basis but lack the confidence and motivation to join a formal club. The girls only sessions aims to build this confidence and create a progression route from school, to community, to club, if so desired. Girls get fit, learn to work as part of a team, feel like they belong to a community, and improve their confidence and their game so that they feel ready to be part of something more formal, if they wish.