Post by Marni Salem

For me, childhood was defined by bike rides in the street, picnics in the garden, and the thrill of playing on the swings. Summers meant searching for tadpoles in the local pond, splashing around in the paddling pool, and makeshift slip-n slides. When winter arrived, my sisters and I would race down the hills on sledges and come home with muddy wellies after afternoons spent on bear hunts. But really, it was just the simple joy of being outside and having fun that stayed with me. That freedom to play has shaped so much of who I am today. In England, girls are 22% less likely than boys to play outside after school.* It's a reminder that many children, especially girls, don’t get the same chance to play outside. That's why Dirt Is Good has partnered up with Arsenal Football Club to launch It Starts Outside. The campaign reinforces that this gender gap starts early and that families can help close it. For many Arsenal Women players, confidence grew through climbing, running and getting dirty. Families can support this by:   🛝 Making time for outdoor play each week   🏃‍♀️‍➡️ Encouraging active games in local parks   🌟 Supporting girls to try sports without pressure   🌱 Celebrating mess, not seeing it as an inconvenience This campaign isn't just about raising elite athletes. It's designed to give girls the freedom to play, explore, and build confidence along the way. Every child deserves the same chance to enjoy the outdoors, like I did growing up. Because those early outdoor moments help shape kids far beyond childhood. Share your own stories with #ItStartsOutside 📷 🌿 *Sport England Active Lives Survey 2024–25. See dirtisgood.com for more. Tati Lindenberg Saffron Inkster Holly Hetherington Ricardo Zampol Grace Zhiamin Lee Reshmi Ouseph Rachael Stets Ross Marshall Bryony Forbes Sarah-Jane Emerton Ben Jackson Harriet Gomersall Holly Strawson Katie Smith Jack Whitehouse Holly Hayne Francesca Denny