Girls in the Game: Tackling Misogyny, Body Confidence & Belonging in School

Why do so many girls disengage from sport during their school years and what can schools do to change that? In this special Teachers Talk Radio show in partnership with the Football Association (FA), hosts Tom Rogers and Rae Whitehouse are joined by Stacey Mullock, Head of Development at The FA, and secondary teacher Helen Tonks to explore the barriers still holding girls back in sport and school life. Whether it be misogyny and exclusion to body confidence, periods, kit anxiety and the fear of judgement, this honest and practical conversation looks at the real experiences many girls face and why these issues extend far beyond the football pitch. Drawing on insights from the FA & Barclays Made for This Game: Breaking Barriers campaign, the panel discusses how schools can create environments where girls feel confident, included and able to belong. The conversation explores what misogyny looks like in schools today, how teachers can open difficult conversations with confidence, and the small cultural shifts that can make a big difference. With 90% of schools now offering girls equal access to football, progress is real but access alone isn’t enough. This show looks at what comes next and how teachers can help girls build confidence, resilience and a lasting sense of self-worth.