Molly Bartrip joins Bloomsbury Football as ambassador to promote equal access to football and mental health support

Tottenham Hotspur defender, Molly Bartrip recently announced a new partnership with Bloomsbury Football for the 2025/26 season.

Bloomsbury Football is a charity that uses the power of football to change lives. Since the pandemic, the number of young people facing social isolation, mental illness and physical inactivity is on the rise. The charity aims to grant all children equal access to sport regardless of gender or background, with emphasis on the benefits of football both physically and mentally on young people.

Through her new role as an ambassador of Bloomsbury Football, Bartrip aims to empower girls to feel they belong in football, both on and off the pitch. This is just the start of her work with the charity, where she is paving the way for the next generations to feel accepted and valued within the sport.

Bloomsbury Football initiatives 

Recently, the charity launched the Bloomsbury Football’s Girls Strategy, which is committed to providing equal opportunities to all girls in sport. The principal aim is to encourage 10,000 girls per week to play football, to be achieved by 2028. Whilst this goal might seem ambitious, the organisation is already taking steps in the right direction for the growth of the game. 

Alongside the UEFA Women’s EURO tournament this summer, the launch of the ‘My Game, my rules, my wins’ campaign reminded girls that there is more to playing football than simply stepping on the pitch. The Lionesses inspired the nation with back-to-back European titles, but there is so much more to their legacy than lifting the trophy.

Sport benefits the mind significantly, which is recognised through Bloomsbury’s initiatives. A wide range of activities are on offer: : including the Academy, all ability training sessions, and special projects like Disability Football. The charity is a safe space for young people that encourages active participation in sports to benefit the mind.

Tottenham Hotspur’s vice-Captain has her own ambitions of increasing the number of girls on the pitch, which align perfectly with the work of Bloomsbury Football. Through her work with the charity so far, she has shared her own experiences to create a safe space for young girls within football. There is no doubt that her passion and positive attitude make her the perfect ambassador for the organisation.

Where it all started 

In April, Bartrip attended her first Bloomsbury football session and never looked back. Since, she has followed closely the work of the charity and believes in their mission.  

Both share the vision of providing equal opportunities to all young children, no matter their background or gender. Sport should be accessible and encouraged, especially due to the mental and physical benefits on young people. Building a safe space within the community is at the heart of the charity, which the defender will promote through her role as an ambassador.  

Immediately after her first session with Bloomsbury Football, Bartrip recognised the positive impact the charity has on so many young people, and was inspired to share her own experiences and passion for the game: 

“Attending my first Bloomsbury Football session last April confirmed for me firsthand the positive impact football has on young people's lives. Playing regular football and being part of a team had such a positive impact on my mental wellbeing, which is why I feel so closely aligned with Bloomsbury's mission to make football accessible to all. I’m so excited to continue partnering with the charity, and to empower girls to belong, both on and off the pitch.”

Inspiring the next generation

Within women’s football and the wider community, Batrip is a role model to the next generation of girls through her advocation of openness surrounding mental health. This is an extremely valuable attribute that suits her to the role of an ambassador for Bloomsbury Football.

In recent years, the defender opened up about her mental wellbeing. In particular, she explained the challenges she faced mentally throughout her teenage years. At a young age she suffered a long-term injury that sidelined her from the sport she loved: she battled with anorexia, alongside anxiety and depression during this period. Through her own experiences, she uses her voice to inspire others to be open about their mental health and understand the importance of speaking out, rather than suffering in silence.

Her partnership with Bloomsbury Football is a testament to her mindset as a professional footballer and leader. Bartrip looks beyond the pitch, promiting open conversations about mental and physical health and encouraging physical activity for young people. Whilst some shy away from speaking about this subject, the defender inspires others with her own experiences and reminds us that it is ok not be ok.

Opening up is one of the best ways to be truly honest with yourself about your mental health. However, this proves difficult for so many especially throughout adolescence. The vice-captain dedicates her time away from the pitch to educate, support and inspire the next generation of girls alongside Bloomsbury Football, allowing them to reap the rewards of a female role model and a safe space within the sport they love.

The Founder and CEO of Bloomsbury Football, Charlie Hyman, spoke about their newest recruit with high praise and gratitude for her work with the charity: 

“We’re thrilled to have Molly on board as an ambassador, she is a powerful advocate for equal access in women’s football and has already done so much to advance the game forward and open up conversations about mental health, girls’ participation and breaking down barriers. It’s great to have someone on board who so closely aligns with our values and we’re looking forward to seeing her at many more sessions across the course of the season.”