How Charlton defender Gracie Pearse and TGA founder Nikki Fairbairn are carrying the Addicks’ community spirit into the next generation.
For over a century, Charlton Athletic has been more than a football club. It’s been a community, a family, and a symbol of opportunity. Formed in 1905 by a group of teenagers who simply wanted to play football, the club has never lost sight of its roots as the original community club. From those early matches on the banks of the Thames to the women’s team inspiring new generations today, Charlton has always believed that football belongs to everyone.
That same spirit of inclusion and togetherness lives on through This Girl’s Ability — a non-profit organisation that is transforming access to sport for girls and young women with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Founded by Nikki Fairbairn, the non-profit offers football sessions that are welcoming, empowering, and built around one simple message: everyone deserves to play.
With hubs in Charlton, Havering, Dagenham, and Chelmsford, the project gives girls aged 10 to 25 the chance to take part in inclusive football sessions that build not just skills, but also confidence, friendships, and self-belief. And at the heart of the Charlton hub is one of the Addicks’ own — Charlton Athletic Women defender, Gracie Pearse — whose coaching work has become an inspiring extension of the club’s long-standing community values.
When Nikki first had the idea for This Girl’s Ability, it came from something she couldn’t ignore. “At a local charity I worked for, I realised most of the sports sessions were filled with boys, but very few girls came along,” she recalls. “I kept asking myself why. That question became the spark for This Girl’s Ability. I wanted to create a space that felt safe, fun, and designed especially for girls — somewhere they could truly be themselves and feel they belong.”
From that simple idea, a thriving community has grown. Nikki’s eldest daughter, Zoe, handles the behind-the-scenes work — funding, planning, and communication — while her youngest, Danni, documents the sessions through her photography, capturing the energy and joy that define them. Those photos have become a window into the non-profit’s soul, giving new participants a glimpse of the laughter and friendship that await them.
Since its first session in early 2023, This Girl’s Ability has grown into a vibrant network of over 50 members. “Our sessions are about so much more than football,” Nikki says proudly. “We’re helping girls grow in confidence, make new friends, and feel part of something special. We’ve seen girls who started out shy and quiet turn into leaders, encouraging others and finding their voice. That’s the power of football — and of community.”
The connection with Charlton Athletic Women has played a vital role in that story. As a club with deep community roots, Charlton’s support has been genuine and generous — from hosting the girls as mascots and flag bearers at The Valley to players spending time at sessions during school holidays. “The support from Charlton Women has been amazing,” Nikki says. “It’s helped the girls fall in love with football not just as a sport, but as fans. When they see players they admire giving their time, it shows them that they truly belong in football.”
That connection has only strengthened through the involvement of Gracie Pearse, who joined the programme in April 2025 and has been coaching at the Charlton hub ever since. For Gracie, who has captained Arsenal’s U21s, represented England at U19 level, and now anchors Charlton’s defence in the Championship, working with This Girl’s Ability feels like a perfect fit.
“I’ve always loved football, and I’ve always loved working with young people,” Gracie says. “From a young age, I knew I wanted to be a professional footballer, and now I get to combine that dream with helping others. Under my brand, GPCoaching, I deliver private one-on-one coaching sessions for young people. Being part of This Girl’s Ability gives me the chance to help girls enjoy football in a supportive, inclusive environment. It’s honestly one of the most rewarding things I do.”
Nikki has seen the impact first-hand. “Gracie comes to every session full of energy and ideas,” she says. “She keeps things fun and creative, and she takes the time to talk with each girl. She’ll ask about their day, their pets, their favourite teams — she makes everyone feel seen. The girls absolutely adore her. She’s a fantastic role model and a huge part of our team.”
Gracie’s coaching approach is rooted in patience, empathy, and understanding. “Every girl learns and engages differently,” she explains. “You can’t take a one-size-fits-all approach — you have to adapt. It’s about helping each player find her own way, building confidence, and letting her know it’s okay to make mistakes. That’s how we all learn.”
She recalls one moment that has stayed with her: “We were running a shooting drill, and two girls were working together in silence. Afterwards, one turned to the other and said how good she was and how well they worked together without even talking. It was a small thing, but it summed up exactly what This Girl’s Ability stands for — connection, teamwork, and understanding.”
Moments like that, Gracie says, are why she loves coaching. “Seeing the girls grow in ways they didn’t think possible is the best feeling. Whether it’s mastering a new skill, forming a friendship, or stepping out of their comfort zone — those moments are everything. You can literally see their confidence building week by week.”
Her time with This Girl’s Ability has also shaped her as a coach and as a person. “It’s made me more patient, more adaptable, and more aware of how everyone’s needs are different,” she says. “It’s also reminded me why I fell in love with football in the first place — for the joy, the connection, and the way it brings people together.”
That sense of togetherness is at the heart of both the non-profit and the club that supports it. Nikki often reflects on Charlton’s unique identity — a club founded by young people who wanted to play, and one that has never forgotten its roots. “Charlton has always been about inclusion,” she says. “It’s a club built on community. What we’re doing with This Girl’s Ability continues that legacy — creating opportunities for people who might otherwise be excluded and showing that football can change lives.”
She believes that the partnership benefits both sides. “When the Charlton players come to our sessions, they leave smiling. Spending time with our girls is a reminder of what football is really about — connection, joy, and belonging. It’s community football in its purest form, and it’s exactly what Charlton stands for.”
Both Nikki and Gracie are passionate about the future. They want to see This Girl’s Ability grow, reaching even more girls across London and beyond. They also hope that more professional clubs will follow Charlton’s example — working closely with grassroots programmes and investing in inclusion as a core part of football’s future.
“I hope the programme continues to expand and that more girls can experience what we’re building here,” Gracie says. “Nikki has provided a safe space for all the young girls, dedicating countless hours to creating an amazing programme. She’s the heart of it, and her dedication is incredible.”
Nikki smiles when asked what the journey means to her. “We started with just a few girls who wanted somewhere to belong,” she says. “Now, we have more than 50 young people who proudly wear their This Girl’s Ability shirts, call themselves a team, and inspire others to believe in what they can do. That’s what football should be about. It’s not just about results — it’s about belonging, belief, and bringing people together.”
For the Addicks, that sentiment couldn’t ring truer. From the group of teenagers who formed the club in 1905 to the women’s team inspiring the next generation today, Charlton’s story has always been about community — about people coming together for the love of the game.
Through the work of This Girl’s Ability, that legacy continues. It’s football with heart, passion, and purpose — and it’s happening right here, in the shadow of The Valley, where the spirit of the original community club still burns as brightly as ever.
Learn more about This Girl’s Ability:
🌐 www.thisgirlsability.co.uk
📸 Instagram: @thisgirlsability | @GPCoaching
📘 Facebook: @thisgirlsability
The Charlton Athletic Supporters’ Trust celebrates projects like This Girl’s Ability as a reminder of what makes our club special — a shared commitment to inclusion, opportunity, and the belief that football, at its very best, is for everyone.
We are always proud to share stories that reflect the heart of our club — connection, opportunity, and belonging. Few embody that better than This Girl’s Ability, a programme that is transforming lives and carrying forward the Addicks’ proud tradition as the original community club.
Photos courtesy of Danni Fairbairn