UEFA: PlayMakers, a programme using Disney characters to encourage young girls to play football

UEFA and The Walt Disney Company have joined forces to develop PlayMakers, "a football programme that uses Disney's world-renowned storytelling to encourage more young girls to exercise regularly and kickstart a lifelong love of football," said the European body on 13/02/2020.

"Unlike traditional football programmes, each of Playmakers ten initial training sessions follow the narrative of Disney and Pixar's billion dollar global box office smash hit, Incredibles 2. Equipped with footballs, bibs and cones, trained coaches encourage participants to play the roles of popular characters, such as Elastigirl, Violet, Mr Incredible and Dash, bringing the film’s action scenes to life through movement, teamwork and their imagination. PlayMakers represents a first step toward achieving one of the main goals of 'Time for Action' the UEFA Women's Football Strategy - to double girls' and women's participation in football by 2024 (see below)," said UEFA.

"Inspired by academic research showing the positive role of storytelling in helping children take up sport. Targeting 5-8 year-old girls not…