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Youth

Abi Paine's Paine Foundation Bridges Gap in Mainstream and Disability Football for Women

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Abi Paine, an 18-year-old athlete with spina bifida, has founded the Paine Foundation to create opportunities for disabled women and girls to play safe and competitive football. Frustrated by her own experiences playing against men in the adult division and struggling to find a high-level team in Sussex that supported people with spina bifida, Abi took the initiative to create a foundation that would provide accessible football opportunities for disabled women and girls. Abi's determination and perseverance were recognized when she won the Young Community Hero award in the Worthing Community Awards 2025. Since then, the Paine Foundation has become a Just Play provider with the help of Sussex FA, and is working on building connections with brands and companies that support women's football.

Key Takeaways:

  • Abi Paine, an 18-year-old athlete with spina bifida, founded the Paine Foundation in November 2024 to create opportunities for disabled women and girls to play safe and competitive football.
  • Abi's inspiration to set up the foundation came from her own struggles playing football against men, including hesitation and fear of injury, which led her to prioritize her health and body after one year with Brighton and Hove Albion.
  • The Paine Foundation has become a Just Play provider with the help of Sussex FA, granting Abi funding to become a qualified coach.
  • Abi won the Young Community Hero award in the Worthing Community Awards 2025 for her efforts in creating the Paine Foundation.
  • Abi's goal is to build further connections with brands and companies that support women's football to help the Paine Foundation grow and expand its reach.
  • The Paine Foundation is currently training at Ferring Football Club and working on establishing partnerships with various organizations to provide accessible football opportunities for disabled women and girls.

Abi's personal story showcases her resilience and determination, as well as the importance of creating inclusive opportunities for women and girls with disabilities to participate in football.

Statistics:

  • 18-year-old Abi Paine founded the Paine Foundation in November 2024 to provide accessible football opportunities for disabled women and girls aged 16+.
  • The Paine Foundation has become a Just Play provider with the help of Sussex FA, granting Abi funding to become a qualified coach.
  • Abi won the Young Community Hero award in the Worthing Community Awards 2025 for her efforts in creating the Paine Foundation.
  • The Premier League Disability Festival in 2023 was a significant event for Abi, where she played with her U16s mixed-gender pan-disability team and came out as champions.
  • Abi's experiences playing against men in the adult division led her to prioritize her health and body after one year with Brighton and Hove Albion.

Sources:

  • Abi Paine's social media pages
  • Paine Foundation website
  • Worthing Community Awards 2025
  • Sussex FA
  • Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club
  • Premier League Disability Festival
  • Worthing Town U18s Football Club

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