News | Entertainment
6 May 2025 14:33
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Lionesses legend and broadcaster, Alex Scott, is the narrator of a new Disney short film to inspire young girls to take up football

    England Senior Women players, Leah Williamson, Lucy Bronze and Lauren James, have been animated for the retelling of Disney classic 'Cinderella' and appear as the 'three Lioness Godmothers' in Disney and England Football's 'Ella: A Modern Day Fairytale'


    The animation showcases 'Shooting Stars' - "a Disney-inspired programme for primary school-aged girls, supporting them to develop fundamental movement skills and introducing them to football through Disney storytelling."

    It tells the story of Ella, a primary school girl who follows her passion to play football, overcoming barriers along the way. She receives help from her 'three Lioness Godmothers'."

    The intention is to show that the sport is for "everyone" and to "inspire girls to give football a go in the playground at school or at their local club."

    Nicole Morse, VP of Brand and Franchise Marketing, Disney EMEA, said: "Disney is so proud of the Shooting Stars programme. 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 of Shooting Stars meaning even more girls will benefit from it."

    The FA's Head of Development, Louise Gear, said: "As a mum, I'm really excited that we're able to work with our partner Disney on bringing to life a much-loved classic film in Ella: A Modern Day Fairytale. Football is a game for all and Disney-inspired Shooting Stars aims to provide opportunities for girls in schools up and down the country to play the game they love from an early age. Ella: A Modern Day Fairytale highlights the barriers that many girls face when trying to play football, and ahead of a huge summer for women's and girls' football, we hope this not only inspires more girls to have the courage to play, but changes perceptions in the playground."

    Printed versions will be distributed for free to primary schools up and down the country from September.

    Since launching four years ago, the 'Shooting Stars' programme has seen over 70,000 girls take part in over 3,600 schools across the UK.

    Using the magic of Disney storytelling from films such as 'The Incredibles 2', 'Frozen 2', 'Toy Story 4', 'Aladdin' and 'Guardians of the Galaxy', 'Shooting Stars' enables teachers to bring the magic of Disney to the playground.

    The film comes ahead of the FIFA Women's World Cup, which kicks off in Auckland on July 20.

    Watch 'Ella: A Modern Day Fairytale' via https://youtu.be/3PrLNI0xIx8.

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     06 May: BLACKPINK's Lisa would "love" to return to 'The White Lotus'
     06 May: Nicolas Cage "feared" surfers during his younger years
     06 May: Chelsea Handler is "always giving people unsolicited advice"
     06 May: Myles Smith is determined to achieve sustained success
     06 May: Robbie Williams wants to set up a "creative university"
     06 May: Gigi Hadid has finally made her relationship with Bradley Cooper Instagram official
     06 May: Connie Britton wants to return to 'The White Lotus' - but only if it is filmed in Aspen
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Netball New Zealand have reassured players and coaches about an ANZ Premiership next year, despite no further progress on sorting a broadcast deal More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    The Government will make major savings over the coming years by outperforming on its housings goals More...



     Today's News

    National:
    Tailoring and the Black dandy: how 250 years of Black fashion history inspired the 2025 Met Gala 14:17

    Hamilton:
    Met Gala 2025 live updates: Diana Ross, Janelle Monáe, Kim Kardashian and dramatic suit reveals at this year's Met Gala 14:17

    Law and Order:
    Police say a man's death in south Auckland this morning - is a homicide - and an investigation's under way 14:07

    Entertainment:
    BLACKPINK's Lisa would "love" to return to 'The White Lotus' 13:58

    Hamilton:
    Met Gala red carpet: Zendaya, Sabrina Carpenter, Lorde, Cynthia Eviro and Diana Ross 13:57

    Rugby League:
    High praise for the Warriors from Queensland and Melbourne great Cooper Cronk 13:47

    Entertainment:
    Nicolas Cage "feared" surfers during his younger years 13:28

    Law and Order:
    Police are investigating a stranger trying to force an eight-year-old boy into his car outside Auckland's Rowandale School yesterday afternoon, in Manurewa 13:27

    Rugby League:
    Praise for the way Warriors halfback Luke Metcalf is leading the NRL team around the park from one of the great number sevens 13:17

    National:
    Mark Carney heads to Washington: His visit with Trump kicks off high-wire politics in Canada 13:07


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd