Girls for Football: ‘Playbook’ created by the game’s trailblazers gives young girls keys for success from the pitch to boardroom

Book has been written by Narinder Dhami, author of Bend It Like Beckham, and aims to equip girls aged 8-16 with the skills to help them improve both on and off the pitch 

Guidance from 11 of football’s most inspiring females includes Alex Scott, boundary breaking referees and pioneering boardroom executives 

New research conducted by Mastercard highlighted that less than half of girls that watch or play sport in the UK feel that there is a space for them in the sporting world professionally (38%) 

Girls4Football is a new programme launched by Mastercard to develop football and life skills 

Mastercard has compiled the stories of eleven of football’s most formidable trailblazers to create a playbook aimed at passing on some of the knowledge that has helped them achieve their success to young girls.

‘The Playbook: Mastering the Game’ is authored by Narinder Dhami, the writer of cult-classic Bend It Like Beckham, who has interviewed pioneers of the game from around Europe to distil their stories into plays on how to be successful within the game.

Boardroom executives, players, coaches and analysts are included in the squad of pioneers to show the different pathways available in football. Each trailblazer shared their top tips to overcome challenges and help kids reach their goals like make yourself heard, put energy into what you love and being your authentic self.

The trailblazers celebrated in The Playbook for paving the way for future generations are:​

• (Spain) Natalia Astrain, first Spanish woman to receive Europe’s highest level coaching qualification
• (Spain) Patricia Rodríguez Barrios, first female director at a top-flight Spanish club. 
• (France) Laure Boulleau, former player and first female football consultant on French television
• (Germany) Marie Louise Eta, first female assistant coach of an elite European club.
• (Italy) Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi, first female to referee top-flight Italian matches.
• (France) Stephanie Frappart, groundbreaking referee who was the first female to officiate a major European match.
• (Italy) Sara Gama, Player driving societal change with 140 caps for Italy.
• (UK) Alex Scott, former player, boundary breaking media personality and pundit.
• (UK) Juliet Slot, Commercial strategist with experience at some of the biggest clubs in the world
• (France) Wendie Renard, France captain with over 20 major honours.
• (Germany) Imke Wübbenhorst, first female to coach a men’s team in Germany’s top five divisions.
  
  

The book coincides with the launch of Girls4Football, a new initiative from Mastercard, which aims to nurture skills in young girls both and off the pitch to ensure they are set up for success.  

Girls4Football has been rolled out across UK, France, Italy, Germany and Spain with a charity partner in each benefitting from workshops to develop their confidence, leadership, communication and financial skills.

New research conducted by Mastercard highlighted that less than half of girls that watch or play sport in the UK feel that there is a space for them in the sporting world professionally (38%). 

43% of the girls surveyed that want to work in sports cited not knowing how to enter the industry as the main reason stopping them from following their perceived pathway, highlighting the need for The Playbook and its teachings.  

Beatrice Cornacchia, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, Europe at Mastercard said: “Sport is one of the most powerful tools in driving social change and empowering young women. Through the Girls4Football platform and the creation of our playbook, we aim to inspire girls everywhere to pursue their passion for football and explore the vast opportunities it offers—not only on the field but also in careers across the sport. Our workshops will equip thousands of girls with the resources they need to break down barriers and continue playing and dreaming.”

Narinder Dhami, author of The Playbook, added: “The Playbook shows young girls that it is possible to carve out a career within football no matter the circumstances. Each story shows what passion and determination can help you achieve, and the book is a celebration of those that have helped pave the way for a better future. Girls4Football is about creating visibility and the plays from the trailblazers will help provide a blueprint for young girls’ own dreams in football, both on and off the pitch.”

For more information on Girls4Football, please visit: Mastercard Girls4Football