Hey everyone!

This week England’s Lionesses made history - hugely inspiring for kids but especially for girl ballers and girl baller parents like me.

But you know what I love about those big tournament moments?

It's the stories about the families behind the champions.

So we had a little dig into Lioness parents’ stories - alongside the usual amazing clips and drill inspiration for you….

Let’s get into it 👇️ 

Five Powerful Lessons from Lioness Football Parents

If you’re a football parent, there’s nuggets of wisdom and insight in every success story.

1. Your Child Should Play with the Big Kids

Let me tell you about Chloe Kelly's journey. Picture this - she's the youngest one in those west London street cages, surrounded by her five older brothers who had this tough-love approach: "get up or you don't play with us."

You know, as parents, our first instinct is always to protect. But Chloe's parents understood something powerful: sometimes the best growth happens when we let our kids face those challenges.

Development isn't always comfortable - and that's okay! Sometimes those slightly challenging moments are exactly what our kids need to grow.

2. Your Grassroots Knowledge is Gold

Here's something really interesting about Michelle Agyemang's story. Her dad, a grassroots coach, spotted her potential at five and secured her Arsenal trial at six through his football network.

Her father's grassroots coaching background gave him the eye to spot talent and the connections to open doors. He didn't need to be a former pro - just someone who understood the game and believed in his daughter.

I love this because it shows that your involvement in grassroots football isn't just about giving back - it's about building that network, understanding the game, and being able to spot those magical moments in your own child's development.

3. When 'No' Isn't the End of the Story

Hannah Hampton’s story is remarkable. Born with a vision condition affecting depth perception, her family was told by doctors she'd never safely play sport. But her parents encouraged her dreams anyway.

Medical professionals will sometimes set limits based on what they see as insurmountable challenges. But Hannah's parents chose belief over pessimism, working through three eye surgeries and countless adjustments to support her dreams.

Here's the thing about parental instinct - sometimes it sees possibilities that others miss. They didn't ignore the medical advice, but they worked with it, supporting Hannah through three eye surgeries and helping her adapt. That's what I call real parental support!

4. When Love Means Changing Your Life Plans

Hannah Hampton's parents, Chris and Laura, retired from their careers just before Euro 2025 to support their daughter's journey and relocate near Chelsea.

Sometimes the biggest support isn't about expensive boots or weekend tournaments - it's about reshaping our lives around their potential. The Hamptons understood that Hannah's dreams needed more than just encouragement.

It's about being there, being present, and being willing to adapt our lives to support their dreams. That's real commitment to supporting your child's journey.

5. Every Football Experience Plants Seeds

Michelle Agyemang was a ball girl at Wembley just four years before becoming Euro 2025's youngest champion - inspiration struck from the sidelines.

Not every moment in football development happens on the pitch. Michelle's story shows us that exposure to the game at any level can spark something special. Being a ball girl at 15, watching Beth Mead score that hat-trick, planted a seed that grew into something incredible.

Remember, you're doing something amazing by supporting your child's journey in sport. Every moment you spend encouraging them, every game you watch together, every kick-about in the garden - it all matters.

Keep believing in them, keep supporting them, and most importantly, keep making it fun!

RAISING THE LEVELS

 🇧🇷 92 Year-Old Training Buddy

Football is for everyone. And here’s the proof.

This is awesome to see - even though we’re a bit worried she’ll get hurt! 😅 

_vardinha90

653K followers

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🫶 Family Make us Better

I can never stress enough that making football about family fun is a simple hack to happiness for everyone involved.

gigi.altinha

4,148 followers

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🥶 Is this Crystal Palace Under 8 the next Cole Palmer?

This kid is already causing problems. What an exciting prospect!

worldwide1z

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REPS REPS REPS

🛠️ Skills and drills and video tape

Some of the best from our timelines this week:

🛡️ How to shield the ball on the move. Love the detail in this drill.

🔈️ Is a pep talk from another kid more powerful than from an adult? We say yep this one is.

⚡️ Fast twitch muscle and finishing training for the backyard. (Nice backyard edition!)

6️⃣ Every player should be able to do these 6 turns. This drill will teach you how.

💨 Speed exercises you can work into a routine at home.

ANIBALLERS COMMUNITY CLIPS

 🦁 Two Year-Old’s Crazy Top Corner Free Kick

 Jensen McGinn has a magic left foot and is on our must-follow list.

🔗 You know what to do!

essi_aniballers

132 followers

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