Notts County Foundation are proud to announce that its much-loved South Asian Women and Girls Football Programme has been awarded £19,230 of new funding from the The National Lottery Community Fund, securing the future of the project for the next two years.
This vital investment will allow the programme not only to continue but to grow, creating even more opportunities for women and girls within Nottingham’s South Asian communities to participate in sport.
The programme – now officially renamed “Power in Diversity: A Sport Session for Women, by Women”- continues to build on a strong foundation of empowerment, accessibility, and community pride. Delivered in partnership with This Girl Can and the Muslim Women’s Network, the sessions have already provided a safe, female-only environment where women and girls can enjoy football free from barriers and expectations. Led entirely by women, these sessions are designed to nurture confidence, wellbeing, and a sense of belonging.
Thanks to the new funding, the Foundation will be able to:
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Continue the popular Wednesday evening women and girls-only football sessions at Meadow Lane
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Launch a brand-new squash programme for women from South Asian backgrounds, offering more choice and access to alternative sports
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Introduce age-specific girls’ football sessions to strengthen development pathways into local grassroots clubs
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Support and enhance future events celebrating diversity and culture, ensuring sport remains a welcoming space for all communities
These developments mark a significant step forward in ensuring that South Asian women and girls have not only access to sport but meaningful, culturally-sensitive pathways to stay active and thrive within it.
”These sessions have grown into a genuine community space where women and girls feel confident, welcome, and completely themselves. This funding means we can build on that energy, offer more choice, and continue breaking down barriers that have held South Asian women and girls back from participating in sport. I’m incredibly proud of the journeys we’ve seen so far, and excited for what the next two years will bring.” – Vicky Spargo, Deputy Sport and Inclusion Manager at Notts County Foundation
To celebrate this exciting new chapter, the Foundation will host a launch event in January 2026. This event will bring together participants, families, partners, and community supporters to mark the beginning of this expanded programme and shine a light on the power of sport to bring communities together.
The continued support for this project reflects a shared commitment to removing barriers and creating inclusive spaces where every woman and girl – regardless of background- has the opportunity to enjoy, learn, and grow through sport.
Notts County Foundation is excited to continue championing inclusion, representation, and community empowerment through Power in Diversity: A Sport Session for Women, by Women.
For more information about the sessions or how to get involved, please contact victoria.spargo@nottscountyfoundation.org.uk or click HERE to see more.
