Forest, London’s most affordable and sustainable e-bike operator, has announced its sponsorship of a new South London Girls’ Football League for Under 7s, a move which will help widen access to the sport for girls in the local area and empower the next generation of football players.

Until now, the league’s youngest competitive age group for girls in South London began at Under 9, meaning that many aspiring young female players either had to join boys’ teams or play in older age groups to get involved.

Forest’s sponsorship has made it possible to officially launch a new Under 7s league, offering young players the opportunity to build their confidence, skills and love for the game at an early age. Forest will support the league for the entire 2025/26 season, enabling six teams to compete weekly each Sunday.

Forest is London’s only homegrown e-bike operator. This new initiative reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to Londoners, supporting communities across the Capital, creating a more accessible and inclusive city for everyone.

As part of its mission to level the playing field in cycling, Forest is focused on tackling challenges that women face when it comes to cycling and creating a culture and service that meets their needs. Forest’s rider data* shows that the number of female cyclists continues to increase year on year, and almost 80% of Forest’s female users now cycle more than they did before discovering Forest.

Laura Elms, Vice President of Communications & Sustainability at Forest, said: “At Forest, we’re committed to making access fairer – whether that means helping Londoners get around more affordably or ensuring girls have the same opportunities as boys to play sport. That’s why we’re so proud to support the launch of the new U7s girls’ league, giving young players the chance to step onto the pitch every week and experience the joy of competitive football.
“This sponsorship reflects our commitment to the communities that make our city so special, and we can’t wait to see the league thrive in its first season.”

Jamie Greaves, Academy Director at South London Girls Football Academy, said:

“South London Girls Football League is levelling the playing field and increasing the accessibility for girls to play development and competitive football in South London. With the support of Forest Bikes, SLGFL has begun its impact by creating the first Under 7 girls-only football league in South London. Hundreds of boys begin this football journey at Under 7, with girls, locally, only able to begin at Under 9/10; 2-3 years later.

“Operating at a central venue, the league supports players and parents by removing all the fuss; a girls’ football community, managed on site by professionals at the same time and place every week on an all-weather pitch. Goodbye logistical headaches and safety concerns.”