As the nation gears up for a summer of sport – and the Lionesses prepare to defend their title – Kellogg’s is once again stepping up to inspire the next generation of players, including young girls, encouraging them to stay in the game. This comes after data from leading charity Women in Sport reveals that a staggering 43% of girls who once considered themselves “sporty” drop out of sport after primary school.
Now returning for a second year, Kellogg’s Football Camps, in partnership with the EFL, Manchester City, Celtic and Rangers are back with a bold mission: to keep kids aged 5-15 active, confident, and connected through football.
After delivering more than 10,000 hours of FA-qualified coaching across the UK in 2024, the free summer camps give thousands of children the opportunity to grow their love of the game, including girls. This year, over 150 camps are taking place out across the UK, with girls-only camps also launching from Charlton and Cheltenham to Swindon and Sunderland* for those wanting to give the game a go in a female-only environment.
Speaking exclusively to Kellogg’s, Manchester City Women’s Football Club stars – WSL golden boot winner Bunny Shaw, World Cup Lioness Silver Medalist Laura Coombs and Champions League goal scorer Lily Murphy – reflect on how football has not only shaped their careers as elite athletes but empowered them as young girls discovering their voice. Now, they’re sharing their stories to inspire the next generation of girls to lace up their boots.
For both Murphy and Shaw, football is more than a sport – it’s a way to stay active and connect with nature in a digital world.
“Stepping away from your phone and getting outside to switch off and just enjoy being in the moment,” says Shaw. Murphy echoes that sentiment: “Being out in the fresh air with your friends, moving your body, playing together – it’s rewarding. You feel energised, and like you’ve accomplished something.
The players also credited football for introducing them to powerful female friendships – bonds that have helped them through the highs and lows of life on and off the pitch.
“When I was younger, all I wanted was to play with my friends – you want to play where your friends are playing” says Coombs. “As a professional, you can become so focused on performance and disciplined but friendships are so important within that environment. My best friend, who I’ve played with since the under-12s, has seen me through every stage of my career and my life on and off the pitch. Thanks to football, I have someone like that in my life.”
For Bunny Shaw, being part of a unified team taught her the value of collaboration: “Playing football has shown me that two minds are always better than one. When you work together, you find solutions faster.”
Murphy added: “Being part of a team means there’s always someone who understands what you’re going through. You lift each other up, and that support has been invaluable throughout my journey in football”
Reflecting on football’s role in building confidence, both on and off the pitch, Coombs, who described herself as ‘shy’ growing up, credited the game with giving her self-assurance and a true sense of belonging.
“Every evening I’d be out playing football with my friends. From early on it was more than just a hobby, it became a part of me. Being part of a group gave me a powerful sense of confidence.”
Shaw also points to the game’s role in instilling a strong sense of self-belief, adding, “another thing football taught me from a young age is that if you believe in yourself, and know that you’re capable of achieving whatever you want. You can achieve great things.”
Beyond the joy of the game, football has taught the players life-changing lessons in self-discipline and resilience.
“I always knew my end goal. Dedication was everything” says Murphy. “I missed out on a lot growing up because I was training but I didn’t mind that”
Coombs agrees, “The habits you build on the pitch – showing up, pushing through setbacks – translate into every area of life. If you bring that same discipline you have on the pitch to school or work, you can succeed anywhere.”
To inspire girls to take up the beautiful game this summer, Kellogg’s is offering more than 30,000 FREE camp places to young footy fans across the UK. To secure a spot, parents simply need to use the on-pack QR code from a promotional box of Kellogg’s cereal to sign up at www.kelloggsfc.com. T&C’s apply
