Young People Promoting Gender Equality Through the Premier League Inspires Challenge
Young people from Sheffield United Community Foundation have joined hundreds across England and Wales in this year’s Premier League Inspires Challenge, a nationwide initiative supported by the Premier League and the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) that uses football to empower 11–18-year-olds through life skills, mentoring, and social action.
The Challenge is one element of the Premier League Inspires programme, which clubs run on a weekly basis to support 11–18-year-olds who may be at risk of not reaching their potential as they move through the education system and into early adulthood.
This season, young people have been tasked with tackling gender inequality in their communities. Sheffield United Community Foundation representatives came together to share their project ideas at Bramall Lane, Dragon’s Den style in front of a panel of judges. The winning team developed a project to tackle issues around Gender Equality. The winning team from Parkwood E-Act Academy decided to launch a podcast that addressed the issues around gender equality and promoted positive conversations around the important topic.
Sheffield United Community Foundation’s Brad Fox (Employability Coordinator), said: “This has been a fantastic year for the challenge, with the young people driving and developing some great ideas which has allowed their influential voices to be heard.”
The Sheffield United Community Foundation Premier League Inspires Challenge team also explored the positive work Sheffield United is already doing to tackle gender inequality.
Having received the highest number of votes in their heat, Sheffield United Community Foundation participants joined hundreds of young people at the Premier League Inspires Challenge celebration event at Wembley at the end of April. Here, they represented their project alongside more than 40 other clubs from across the Premier League and English Football League. Former Manchester City Women and lioness player Izzy Christiansen, as well as representatives from the PFA, were also in attendance to support and celebrate the young people’s achievements.
This Challenge builds upon the Premier League and Premier League Charitable Fund’s commitment to creating opportunities for all in communities across England and Wales.
Premier League Charitable Fund Interim Chief Executive, Alex White, said: “The Premier League Inspires Challenge gives young people the chance to collaborate on projects that create a positive difference in their community, by championing gender equality and promoting inclusive environments.
“Through taking part in the challenge, young people can build their confidence and gain skills in areas such as public speaking, project planning and teamwork.”
Launched in 2019, Premier League Inspires creates life-changing opportunities for young people who may be at risk of not reaching their potential to engage with activities, helping them to develop the personal skills and positive attitudes needed to succeed in life.
Using the power of football, the programme helps to prepare young people for further education and employment through a series of face-to-face mentoring sessions, workshops and social-action projects.
PFA Senior CSR and EDI Executive, Terry Angus, said: “At the PFA, we believe football has the power to inspire positive change, not just on the pitch, but in our communities. Through Premier League Inspires, young people are developing confidence, leadership and a sense of purpose. It’s fantastic to see our scholars engaging with the programme and working alongside young participants to tackle important issues like gender equality. These experiences stay with them for life and reflect the values we want the game to represent.”
This season, 45 football club charities across the Premier League and English Football League are delivering Premier League Inspires sessions at their stadiums, in local schools and at alternative educational settings, with partnership support from the PFA.
Sheffield United Community Foundation began its Premier League Inspires delivery in 2022 and since then has supported over 400 young people in 6 local schools.
More than 30,000 young people from across England and Wales have received more than 130,000 hours of targeted support through the programme to date.