Liverpool forward Aurélie Csillag says visibility starts at the top in making women’s football more diverse, backing the club’s new Beyond the Goalposts initiative aimed at giving Black and marginalised girls and women pathways in football on and off the pitch. The initiative, delivered by Liverpool’s foundation, will provide sessions including educational and mentoring help from 1 October.
Csillag, a Swiss international, explained that when she was young she had no role model and only watched men’s football, but as women’s football grew there were few prominent Black players. She said she wants to be a role model for the next generation.
Key Facts
- Beyond the Goalposts aims to create a safe, inclusive and empowering environment for Black and marginalised women.
- Sessions begin on 1 October
- People can register interest at any time
- Delivered by the club’s foundation
- Includes educational and mentoring support
What does Beyond the Goalposts offer?
The Beyond the Goalposts initiative provides structured sessions combining educational and mentoring support, designed to widen access to football opportunities for Black and marginalised girls and women in Liverpool’s community. The programme is delivered by the club’s foundation, which works across the city on social inclusion projects.
According to Football | The Guardian, the stated goal is to create a safe, inclusive and empowering environment on and off the pitch. This means support extends beyond playing opportunities to include broader development and mentorship elements.
Why did Csillag get involved?
Aurélie Csillag, a Swiss international who plays for Liverpool, said she had no role model when she was growing up and only watched men’s football because women’s football was smaller at the time. As women’s football expanded, she noted there were not many well-known Black players to look up to.
She said she wants to be a role model for the next generation as part of an effort to improve diversity and representation in the women’s game.
What We Know — and What We Don’t
Verified by the source:
- Beyond the Goalposts launches in October with sessions across Liverpool.
- Aurélie Csillag is a Liverpool forward and Swiss international
- The initiative targets Black and marginalised girls and women
- Support covers education and mentoring on and off the pitch
Still unconfirmed:
- Exact number of participants or venues
- Specific organisations partnering beyond the club’s foundation
- Detailed criteria for selection or support
Broader context on how football clubs approach diversity and community programmes can be found in our sports and politics coverage.
Why It Matters
Diversity initiatives in football address long-standing underrepresentation in the women’s game. When players like Csillag speak publicly about role models, it signals clubs are trying to tackle barriers faced by Black and marginalised women seeking to enter football at every level, from community sessions to professional careers.
What To Watch
Sessions begin on 1 October, and registration remains open at any time. Outcomes from the initiative will likely be reported in future coverage by Football | The Guardian.