Marcus Rashford, Nike and Football Beyond Borders have teamed up to create ‘Play Forward’, a programme to raise the game for the next generation. Nike are proud to back this initiative, starting in Greater Manchester and scaling to multiple cities in the UK, with a focus on underserved communities.

Through Play Forward, we are leveraging the power of football to enable 11–12-year-old girls and boys to understand their own unique superpowers, establish relationships and dare to dream big.

'At first, I thought Play Forward was just another after-school club. I soon found out that it was a safe space for me and the others to have good conversations about lots of different things. I look forward to the sessions every week.’

– Luca, 12.

‘Before Play Forward, my behaviour wasn’t very good. But now I’ve got something to aim for. It’s inspired me to improve my behaviour and attitude towards football, school and pretty much everything in life, which has really improved my mental health.’ – Adnaan, 12

Yolanda Smith — Programme Lead. Through football, she met girls from similar backgrounds. They became a team and stuck with each other. Football has given her the belief that she can accomplish seemingly unachievable things — a belief she wants to pass on to the next generation.

Hailing from Manchester, Ciaran Baxendale is the other Programme Lead. He’s always strived to give back to the community and his passion for building confidence in young people through football has been key to Play Forward’s success to date.

Nike works with athletes, communities and organisations around the world to champion diversity, break down barriers and provide access to sport. All with the aim of using sport & play to create a better future for everyone.