Alessia Russo inspires girls at inaugural Alessia Cup in partnership with Goals 4 Girls, presented by Sky
November 7, 2025
Lioness and Arsenal forward Alessia Russo launched the first-ever Alessia Cup in north London on November 6th. Over 180 girls took part in the tournament – an evolution of the Goals 4 Girls annual event – now presented in partnership with Sky to inspire and empower the next generation of female athletes.
Held at the New River Leisure Centre in Tottenham, the Cup brought together girls aged 12-14 from schools across north and east London at a crucial age when drop-off in sports participation among girls is at its highest. Alongside matches, the girls were able to participate in inspiring workshops designed to boost confidence and wellbeing, including a meditation zone, dance masterclass, and Sky Sports pundit workshop.
Two-time Euro’s winner, Russo attended to support the young participants and highlight the importance of keeping girls engaged in sport during adolescence. The tournament concluded with a prize-giving ceremony celebrating teamwork, talent, and determination, where Alessia presented awards to the winning team from Chislehurst School for Girls, Player of the Tournament, and Golden Glove recipients.
The Alessia Cup builds on an existing programme from Goals 4 Girls which has evolved this year through a new partnership with The Alessia Russo Foundation, with Alessia Russo acting as a partner and amplifier, bringing visibility, growth, and legacy to the initiative. The Cup aims to encourage participation while building confidence, resilience, and leadership skills that extend beyond the pitch. According to the Game Changing report commissioned by Sky in September, girls aged 11-18 miss out on 280 million hours of sport every year compared to boys and playing sport as a child is as strong an indicator of future success as earning a university degree.
Russo said: “The Alessia Cup is about giving girls the chance to see what they can achieve, both on and off the pitch. Together with Sky and Goals 4 Girls, we want to close the participation gap and make sure every girl has the opportunity to play sport with pride and purpose. It’s so exciting to see the Alessia Cup come to life – watching the girls throw themselves into the tournament and workshops has been incredible and I hope today leaves a lasting impact.”
Sky Chief Sports Officer, Jonathan Licht said: “Sky’s Game Changing report shows the vital role that sport plays in shaping girls’ futures. That’s why we’re proud to partner with the Alessia Russo Foundation and Goals 4 Girls on this important initiative to create opportunities for girls to develop confidence and leadership through sport. It’s been fantastic to see Alessia inspiring these young girls, and we hope to continue supporting programmes like this for many years to come.”
Francesca Brown, Goals 4 Girls CEO and Founder, said: “The Alessia Cup marks a monumental moment for girls in sport – a powerful example of what can happen when passion, purpose and opportunity collide. At Goals 4 Girls, we’ve spent over a decade breaking down barriers for young women, and seeing Alessia support this movement alongside us is truly inspiring. We’re incredibly proud to partner with Sky and the Alessia Foundation – together, we’re taking meaningful action to close the participation gap. We look forward to delivering more tournaments nationwide, continuing to empower and inspire the next generation of girls in sport.”
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