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Saturday, October 24, 2026

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WSL Football and Nike launch Breaking Lines  

WSL Football and Nike have launched Breaking Lines, a long-term programme that will shift perceptions, encourage participation and bring young people closer to the women’s game.    

Leveraging the experiences of eight Barclays WSL players, Breaking Lines will bring athlete stories into classrooms and football sessions across the country to inspire confidence, build aspiration, and change mindsets. Players who feature include Bunny Shaw, Lauren Hemp, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Fran Kirby, Kosovare Asllani, Mariona Caldentey, Wieke Kaptein and Lenna Gunning-Williams.

The project, originated through Nike’s expanded role as official technical partner of WSL Football, was built as part of a shared commitment to deliver community engagement initiatives that help improve access and shift perception of football for women and girls so they see themselves in the sport.

The new six-week in-school programme, delivered by Football Beyond Borders (FBB) includes classroom learning alongside practical football sessions featuring drills inspired by the skills players demonstrate on the pitch. Each week focuses on a different theme, using players' experiences to encourage young people to reflect on their own lives. Themes include identity, self-expression, belonging, managing pressure and overcoming setbacks.

Participants will be in years 8 and 9 and will reach approximately 1,600 young people through 46 schools in London, 13 in the Northwest and 10 in the West Midlands.

Ruth Hooper, Chief Marketing Officer at WSL Football, said “Our players are role models to young people across the country, not only because of what they achieve on the pitch, but because of the challenges, values and resilience that have shaped their journeys. Our expanded partnership with Nike means we can introduce programmes like this that can make a difference to society, while working alongside Football Beyond Borders helps bring these stories directly to young people. Using football to start important conversations around confidence, identity and belonging. It is another way we can use the reach of the Barclays WSL and its players to make a positive impact beyond the game.”

Dan Burrows, GM, Future of Youth Sport at Nike commented: “Breaking Lines is a powerful example of how Nike is working in partnership with community partners, athletes and sports leagues around the world to create a future of youth sport that is accessible, inclusive and fun.

“Together with the WSL and eight incredible athletes, this community engagement initiative will shift perceptions of the game, and inspire more young people, especially girls, to play football and build a lasting connection with the women’s game.”

Ceylon Andi Hickman, Deputy CEO, Football Beyond Borders, said: “At Football Beyond Borders we believe in the power of sport to engage and motivate young people in the classroom and on the football pitch and we are incredibly proud to partner with Nike and WSL Football to bring Breaking Lines to schools across the country for the first time.

By showcasing the athletes’ personal and professional reflections, Breaking Lines establishes the players as powerful role models both on and off the pitch; allowing young people to explore the connection between who we are, and how we express ourselves.”

The programme will culminate in a public celebration of the young people's work, inspired by their identities and experiences throughout the six weeks.