Following the London FA Grassroots Football Awards announced this weekend, the Girls Super League (GSL) are honoured to win the Grassroots League of the Year award for 2023.
The league encourages girls aged 8-16 to pursue their love of football by taking part in competitive matches, but also creating a community that showcases the multiple positive pathways that are available to them.
Thriving with as many as 800+ girls registered to play, the league consists of 64 participating teams representing 26 football clubs around London and the Greater London area. All matches are hosted across central venues in North and West London where over 400 players compete every weekend.
Bloomsbury Football Foundation is a leading sport for change charity in London which the Girls Super League operates under. The charity uses the power of the beautiful game to transform the lives of young people and provide a better grassroots experience to young footballers in London.
The Girls Super League goes above and beyond to support the development of players and clubs. In addition to competitive league matches, it offers activities and beneficial workshops for the league community with previous workshops highlighting significant issues affecting girls in sport, such as body image, periods and hormonal changes. The league has also hosted women- and girls-only courses for individuals to gain their refereeing qualification and begin refereeing in the league under an experienced mentor. To drive further engagement league players are also offered the chance to participate in exciting events and unique experiences, including a highlight from last season; a once in a lifetime opportunity to play on the pitch at Wembley stadium with workshops led by the likes of ex-Lioness Rachel Yankey.
Maya Williamson, manager of the Girls Super League, exclaimed: “We are extremely proud of the foundations we have been able to create to encourage as many young girls as possible to nurture their love of the beautiful game. Guided by the principle of equal opportunity, GSL is a hub for girls’ football that continues to grow through the passion and commitment of those involved and will hopefully inspire the next generation of female footballers.”
