Sunday 6th July 2025 - Girls United and the Play Like a Girl (PLG) Programme took over Peckham Rye.
With PLG starting on Peckham Rye and this season often seeing attendance get close to 50 girls per week - what better place to celebrate not only the Women’s Euros but also the success of PLG this season. Could we get girls from every PLG session to attend? Could we get 100 girls on site? Could we put on a spectacle that left players, carers, coaches, partners inspired by what we do? The weather forecast looked like it was going to try and ruin the morning with thunder and lightning, however I think we have a young player by the name of Mary Cassama to thank for the change in forecast.
Her mum had this to say.
“Mary was praying all night. We thank God for responding to her prayers because she really wanted to attend the event on Sunday.”
We saw girls arriving in a whole array of colours and shirts representing their teams and countries, from a classic Holland kit, South Africa, England, Portugal - there really was a sea of colour across the Rye, highlighting not only European countries but the diversity of our community from around the world.
Coach Lorna also organised a boot drive so players could come and swap out their boots for a bigger size if needed. The boot drive has become a regular fixture at events with boots being collected and donated throughout the year, proving to be a much loved resource for parents and guardians to keep up with their fast growing players.
As sessions got underway, parents and guardians sat back and enjoyed the morning sunshine with their coffee and pastry from Cafe G. Some then took part in an adult beginners session whilst others just carried on soaking up the vibes. We also had plenty of partners and external companies come along to see our work and players first hand.
With London Football covering our event for the Nationwide Big Football Day and interviewing girls and London City Lionesses bringing along their WSL2 Champions trophy and talking about their players out in Switzerland playing in the Euros - our players took the spotlight and felt a real connection to the larger football community.
It was a brilliant morning all round and for passersby wondering what all the energy was about, they were witnessing a Girls United PLG session in full swing
The stats:
Total Attendance: 77 Girls
Ages ranges: 5 - 14 (plus a three year old joining with our friends at Mercury/13 joining for her first ever football session!)
Regular Sunday PLG girls in attendance - 49
Brand new to GU & PLG - 4
Girls From other PLG Sessions - 6 from across Streatham, Oasis St Martin’s, Prendergast, Kennington
Girls From FC - 17 a number of whom started their journey at PLG and formerly Wildcats
Returning LTG player - 1
Partners and Others involved - London Football, London City Lionesses, Mercury 13, Womens View, Nixi Body, Morrisons Peckham Donation, MAS Energy Drink, Big Football Day,
What other people had to say.
Adam Watson - Father of Celia Watson, 11
A properly warm welcome, an opportunity to swap to some bigger boots. A chance to meet some of the amazing people from London City Lionesses and their trophy, and to meet many more of the amazing Girls United coaches. Some brilliantly engaging coaching - a score line based on more than just goals, inspiring the girls to try some crazy things. Then a lovely prize giving and free drinks. All in 2 hours. As I said, amazing.
My daughter’s been at PLG pretty much every Sunday for almost a season, and yes I can see her football skills improving significantly. But more importantly, I can also see the impact it’s had on her as a person - on her confidence, her desire to collaborate, and her willingness to be seen, and even to lead. A properly inspiring human approach to football coaching that blows me away every weekend.
That’s thanks to you Lee, and Lorna and all the other coaches who show up every Sunday.
Siobhan Armstrong - Mum of Yuna Armstrong-Phillips, 9
Sunday was an example of all the wonderful things Girls United Play Like a Girl programme has to offer.
These events show our girls that they belong and they have an important place in football. Not just for those that show exceptional and promise, but also for those who turn up and give themselves a chance to shine and grow. The care, organisation and sense of event gives them the right of place in society that is so often denied to them girls. Not only that, but it makes it the norm.
I’m also a huge fan of the beginners adult session as it not only allows us to portray a good example, but makes me as a woman who was never given the chance before, feel like I can share in my daughter’s journey.
Shannon Hyner - London Football Marketing and Communications Manager
It was a pleasure to attend the Girls United Big Football Event on behalf of London FA. It was inspiring seeing all the different kits the girls were wearing and listening to their stories behind why those kits meant something to them. Having such a variety of age groups all just enjoying playing football under the light of the Euros just shows the impact clubs like Girls United are having on the football community in London and providing opportunities for girls to play just to fall in love with the game. We are very proud of Girls United here at London FA and hope to continue to support them on their incredible journey in changing the landscape for women and girls football in the capital.
A huge thank you to PLG Parent and photographer Paul Calver for capturing the event - photos can be seen here