So we are starting with covering HRH’s engagements on this new platform, with a bit of a surprise. Not sure if most of you were even aware of The Countess of Wessex’s involvement in the visit of India’s based OSCAR U-17 girls football team to England. There was a tiny mention in the press ahead of their arrival, but I’m sure to most of you it will be something quite unexpected.
The tour is the first of its kind for the girls’ football team, after the boys’ team toured the UK in 2017. Both teams were set up by The OSCAR Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation based in Mumbai that uses football to encourage underprivileged girls and boys towards completing their education. A U-17 girls football team is comprised of girl players from Mumbai slums and rural parts of Jharkhand.
Girls left India for their OSCAR #kicklikeagirl UK Schools Tour 2018 on September 30, 2018. The team, along with support from the British deputy high commission in Mumbai, already played (since their tour has started on Monday) & will play against some of the top UK schools like Malvern College, Bradfield College, Downe House, St Mary’s Calne, Heathfield Ascot, and the Cheltenham Ladies’ College.
Ashok Rathod, Founder, OSCAR Foundation: “Young girls from India’s low-income communities face all kinds of discrimination. Since their parents are uneducated, they are often forced to leave school or are married off at a young age. OSCAR wants to empower these girls and change the mindset of their parents. We want these girls to believe in themselves, give them opportunities to showcase their talent, and let them dream big.”
British Deputy High Commission Mumbai who has been supporting the Kick Like A Girl project for the past two years, said: “I want to thank all the schools hosting the girls from Mumbai’s OSCAR Foundation. The UK government supports empowering of young girls and giving them opportunities to succeed. I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for the girls and staff of the host schools — I hope you will find it an enriching opportunity and the one that stays with you for all of your lives.”
Yesterday (5th October) girls from The OSCAR #kicklikeagirl UK Schools Tour 2018 team had a private tour of Windsor Castle with HRH Sophie, The Countess of Wessex. They also had fun while exploring “Go Ape” – UK’s number one forest adventure, based in Swinley Forest, Bracknell. “Go Ape is all about getting out into the great outdoors and having fun with friends and family – enabling visitors to unleash their inner Tarzan!”
After @oscarkicklikeagirluktour18: “The @oscar_foundation girls were treated like royalty for a day at Windsor Castle. Sophie, The Countess of Wessex treated them to a private tour. The girls loved every minute and learnt a lot of history. Later they switched saris for harnesses and set off to @goapebracknell Photos coming….”
After Ashok Shankar Rathod: HRH “organised private Windsor Castle tour. The OSCAR team got a chance to go in one of the Queen’s beautiful private rooms which is not open to the public. This made us feel very special. Windsor Castle is the most beautiful place, with 950 rooms. It’s easy to get lost. I feel very proud and happy that Windsor Castle have many beautiful Indian Artefacts.”
“After Windsor Castle, Princess 👑Wessex invited OSCAR team for delicious Indian Lunch at Bagshot Park. And not only did she invite us to her home but she also she joined us at Go Ape Adventure activities like Zip line, climbing and many things. Princess Wessex made OSCAR Kick Like A Girl team feel very special and this day will stay with them forever, a treasured memory.”
OSCAR #kicklikeagirl UK Schools Tour 2018 also marks 100th Anniversary of Women’s Right to Vote in the UK. If anything else – inlcuding pictures – will be shared, I will update my post. To learn more about this tour, I recommend articles at Indian Express, click here & Cheltladies College, here.
HRH The Countess of Wessex 
What a lovely thing to do! I’m sure everyone enjoyed it immensely and it’s something they will remember forever.
I love the selfie with Sophie. This is one of the things about being a royal that is so good. You can help so many people just by doing something as kind as giving them a private tour.
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