Right To Play and Liverpool FC Foundation hosted a joint event on 3 October 2019 in the lead up to International Day of the Girl Child, to shine a light on the work of the two organisations. The event was held at Liverpool FC’s London office where guests gathered to learn about the transformative power of sport and play on women and girls, to network and to learn more about Right To Play's programmes which educate and empower vulnerable children in some of the most deprived communities in the world.

During the insightful panel discussion, Right To Play Lebanon Field Facilitator, Sarah El Jizi, shared moving anecdotes highlighting the positive impact of Right To Play programmes on the lives of Lebanese women and girls. Not only have these programmes made them more publicly visible they have also empowered these strong females to become decision makers - both at home and in their respective communities. Sarah also spoke about the pivotal role served by Right To Play coaches in delivering life-changing programmes that have a lasting impact on the lives of hundreds, if not thousands of refugee children.

Sarah El Jizi was joined on the panel by Liverpool FC Women’s Manager, Vicky Jepson, Liverpool Football Club’s Head of Communications Susan Black and Right To Play’s Chief Programme Officer, Dr Katrin Imhof. The panel was chaired by renowned BBC broadcaster, Clare McDonnell, who engaged both the audience and the speakers in the social and emotional barriers women face – responses from the panel ranged from stories of personal struggle, female athletes in national and international media and importance role of sport in building life-skills among women and children.

Dr Katrin Imhof, Right To Play’s Chief Programme Officer spoke about Right To Play’s partnership with Liverpool FC Foundation and emphasised how both organisations can learn from one another at various levels. In May 2019, Right To Play and Liverpool FC Foundation launched a global multiyear partnership to improve the lives of vulnerable children through sport and play. Joint programmes will be launched initially in Anfield and Thailand, and will be expanded to include other countries after that. During the 2019/20 season Liverpool FC are wearing the Right To Play logo on their kit for their UEFA Champions League matches.

“Liverpool FC Foundation has long been changing the lives of children in the most deprived areas of the UK. Their mission to bring about a change resonates deeply with Right To Play as we reach 2.3 million children each year and help them develop essential life skills through the power of play,” Dr Katrin Imhof stated.

The event concluded with a networking reception.

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