WSL Football is supporting Play Safe Weekend 2026, which runs from Friday 3 October across the Barclays Women's Super League, Barclays Women's Super League 2 and the wider game.
This year's theme is Keep Up the Convo, and the ask is simple. Make more opportunities to talk with children and young people, and not only about football. About life, about how they're feeling, about whatever matters to them.
Where the conversations happen
They happen on the sidelines, in the car on the way home, at pick-up and drop-off. They happen between players, parents, coaches, volunteers and match officials. None of it needs to be formal or difficult, and keeping up the convo can be as simple as keepie uppies, without the fancy footwork.
The reasoning behind it is straightforward. The more we talk, the more we listen. The more we listen, the more children and young people feel heard, and the more likely they are to tell us how things are really going, including the things we can help them with.
Four things to remember
Keep it open. Fun and easy topics make talking easier.
Keep it active. Ask open questions, then give space to answer.
Keep it going. Reflect, repeat, respond. Show that you're really listening.
Keep up the convo. The more you show up for them, the easier it becomes to keep talking when it matters most.