Alex Scott narrates Disney short film encouraging girls to try football

Former England footballer turned TV presenter Alex Scott will narrate a new animated Disney short film which encourages young girls to try the sport ahead of the Women’s World Cup this summer.

Ella: A Modern Day Fairytale is a retelling of the classic Cinderella story and follows a primary school pupil named Ella who pursues her passion to play football while overcoming barriers along the way.

She receives help from her three Lioness Godmothers – England Women stars Leah Williamson, Lucy Bronze and Lauren James – who have all been animated into Disney-inspired characters for the film.

The short film is a collaboration between England Football and Disney with the aim of showing that “football is for everyone” and to inspire girls to try it out in the playground or at a local club.

It has been produced in connection with the Disney-inspired Shooting Stars programme, which supports primary school-aged girls to develop movement, listening and speaking skills while introducing them to the sport through storytelling from Disney.

Since launching in 2019, the partnership programme with England Football, has seen more than 70,000 girls take part across 3,600 schools in the UK.

“Disney is so proud of the Shooting Stars programme,” Nicole Morse, the entertainment company’s vice-president of brand and franchise marketing at Disney in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said.

“To see our characters having a real impact and being a force for good to help young girls begin a love of football, as well as get active and develop the confidence that Shooting Stars gives, is wonderful.”

“The programme has been a great success, and this brilliant new take on a Disney classic in inspiring Ella: A Modern Day Fairytale will help spread the word