EE highlights powerful mental health benefits of football for teenage girls

In partnership with

Her Football Hub

·5 August 2025

EE highlights powerful mental health benefits of football for teenage girls

After the Lionesses stormed to victory in Basel, becoming European Champions once again, millions of fans across the UK tuned in to witness the historic moment. Among them, thousands of young girls were watching — many now dreaming of their own future in football.

According to new research by EE, the lead partner of the Home Nations Football Associations, football can play a crucial role in supporting girls’ mental health and emotional wellbeing.

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The Lionesses’ legacy is more than just a game

Data from YouGov shows that in the years following the Lionesses’ 2022 European win, the number of girls actively participating in football has continued to grow. Nearly one in three girls aged 6–17 (32 percent) have played the sport in the past year. Following this year’s title defence, a similar surge is expected once again.

But the impact of football goes far beyond the pitch. EE’s Everyone Needs a Squad campaign found that 93 percent of girls aged 13–18 who play or watch football say the sport boosts their confidence. Those who actively play are significantly more likely to develop emotional resilience — 66 percent, compared to 49 percent of those who don’t.

What do the numbers say?

The resilience displayed by the Lionesses throughout the Euros has clearly made an impression. EE’s new digital platform, the EE Squad, has received thousands of visits in the past month alone. In the lead-up to the tournament, EE also published research in partnership with adolescent psychologist Dr. Sheila Redfern, Ph.D, highlighting football’s powerful role in supporting teenage mental health.

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The findings revealed that being part of a football community — whether playing, watching, or supporting — can act as a protective factor for girls growing up in today’s increasingly online world.

Key findings:

93% of girls aged 13–18 involved in football say it gives them more confidence
68% of those who play report feeling more confident after time on the pitch
66% of football-involved girls say they have strong emotional resilience, compared to 49% of non-players
72% feel better able to cope with negative online experiences
57% say football helps them learn to stay positive

By contrast, girls not involved in football are more likely to report negative effects from social media, including lower self-esteem and confidence.

These insights underscore football’s potential as not just a sport, but a vital source of connection, support, and emotional strength for teenage girls.

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A campaign for confidence

The research is part of EE’s Everyone Needs a Squad initiative — a nationwide campaign calling on girls across the UK to get involved in football in whatever way works for them. Whether joining a local team, having a kickabout with friends, or supporting their favourite players, the message is clear: football builds confidence, connection, and resilience.

Kelly Engstrom, Brand & Demand Generation Director at EE, said: “Congratulations to the Lionesses on their well-deserved win. As lead partner of the Home Nations Football Associations, we’re incredibly proud — not just of their performance in this tournament, but of the way they continue to inspire the next generation of football fans.

“The team’s confidence, resilience, and unity reflect exactly what our Everyone Needs a Squad campaign is about. With the right support behind you — on or offline — anything is possible.”

Everyone Needs a Squad is part of EE’s wider mission to use the power of connection for good — especially for young people growing up in a digital world. It builds on the brand’s ongoing commitment to improving youth wellbeing and promoting safe, supportive communities online and offline.