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UEFA and Disney begin incredible initiative in Scotland

Girls across Scotland are set to benefit from the groundbreaking Playmakers football programme developed by UEFA and Disney.

SNS Group / SFA

Using Disney’s world-renowned storytelling and inspired by academic research showing the positive role of storytelling in helping children take up sport, Playmakers will be put into practice throughout Scotland with the aim of increasing participation levels of young girls.

Targeting 5–8 year-old girls not currently playing football, Scotland has joined 22 other UEFA member associations in their commitment to make use of the Playmakers programme through schools, clubs and local communities, with more than 1,000 girls expected to benefit within the first year.

Unique storytelling approach

Using a unique storytelling approach featuring Disney characters, the programme aims to increase the proportion of girls meeting the World Health Organization’s minimum standards for physical activity – currently just 16%.

Playmakers will initially follow the narrative of Disney global box office smash hits Frozen 2 and Incredibles 2. Equipped with footballs, bibs and cones, trained coaches will encourage participants to play the roles of popular characters such as Elastigirl, and Elsa and Anna, bringing the films’ action scenes to life through movement, teamwork and imagination.

The Scottish FA’s head of girls’ and women’s football, Fiona McIntyre says: “UEFA Playmakers in partnership with Disney is a programme we are passionate about in Scotland as we believe its unique style and format will be of great benefit to young girls across the country and ignite their interest to play football.”

This article originally appeared in UEFA Direct 196