Hi everyone,

Almost a year ago I started this petition because I wanted girls to have the same opportunities as boys to play football at school.

I’m 13 now, and although I still believe that, I’ve realised this campaign is about so much more than football.

This year has been one of the hardest years of my life.

Mental health has affected my family in ways I never imagined. I’ve seen how difficult life can become for young people and how important it is to have something that gives you hope, confidence and a reason to keep going.

For me, that’s always been sport.

Football has been somewhere I feel like myself. It’s given me amazing friends, incredible memories and something positive to focus on when life has felt difficult. It reminds me that tomorrow can be better than today.

That’s why I believe every child deserves the chance to find their sport.

Not because every child wants to become a professional footballer, but because sport teaches resilience, builds confidence, creates friendships and supports our mental wellbeing.

We spend so much time talking about children’s mental health, but I don’t think we talk enough about how important sport can be in protecting it.

Girls shouldn’t have fewer opportunities simply because they’re girls.

Every child should be able to walk into school knowing they have the same chance to play, belong and discover something they love.

I’m incredibly grateful to the more than 66,000 people who have supported this petition so far. Thank you for believing in what started as one little girl’s idea.

Please keep sharing it. Every new signature is another voice calling for equal opportunities and recognising the power of sport to change lives.

Together, we can help make sure every girl has the same opportunities to play sport, build confidence and find the place where they belong.

Thank you for standing with me. We’re not finished yet.

Love,

Lola ❤️