Watford-born England legend Kelly Smith praises football’s role in boosting girls’ wellbeing
Research reveals football’s positive impact on teenage girls as former Lioness calls for continued support and access to the sport
Watford-born former England striker Kelly Smith is speaking out about the transformative impact football can have on the confidence, wellbeing and emotional resilience of teenage girls.
It follows new research highlighting the game’s potential to counteract the negative effects of social media.
Kelly Smith, who earned 117 caps for England and represented Team GB at the Olympics, is fronting a new campaign launched by EE, lead partner of the Home Nations Football Associations.
The initiative — Everyone Needs a Squad — reveals how participation in football, both on and off the pitch, can support young girls’ mental health and self-esteem.
Kelly Smith said: "Football helped build my confidence and resilience. I wasn’t that confident growing up, but on the pitch, I was.
"That’s where I built friendships and self-worth."
The research surveyed teenage girls aged 13–18 and found that 93% of those involved in football — whether playing, watching or taking part in a team environment — reported feeling more confident.
Nearly three quarters (72%) said they were better equipped to deal with the pressures of social media, and 69% said football gave them a sense of belonging.
"There’s a lot of negativity around social media," Ms Smith said. "But if these girls are in an environment where they feel safe, where they’ve built friendships, where they can talk to someone if they’ve got issues — that’s massive."
Growing up in Hertfordshire, Ms Smith experienced first-hand how isolating the sport could be for girls in the past.
She said: "I was the only girl playing in my town. I had to join boys’ teams and I got kicked off one just for being the wrong sex, but I didn’t give up. I kept going, and that taught me character and resilience."
The campaign's data supports the idea that football fosters these qualities. Girls engaged in football were significantly more likely to report strong emotional resilience (66% vs. 49% in the control group), while 61% felt comfortable confiding in family and friends about social media pressures.
Ms Smith added: "I think what the Lionesses did winning the Euros changed everything.
"There was a massive uptake in girls wanting to play. Now there are so many more girls’ teams. That support network is crucial, especially in this day and age.
"We used to get told, ‘You shouldn’t play football — it’s for boys.’ That’s horrible for any kid to hear. Now the Lionesses are selling out Wembley and the Emirates. It’s accepted. People want to watch women’s football and the proof is right there in the stands."