DE-Aging technology reunites RACHEL YANKEY oBE WITH HER NINE-YEAR-OLD SELF TO SPARK A debate about confidence

London (ots/PRNewswire) - Gatorade researCh REVEALS 40% of teen girls lack
confidence in sport*

Today, as the world anticipates the UEFA Women's Champions League Final in
Bilbao, Spain, Gatorade research* reveals 40% of teen girls lack confidence in
sport, a key driver to the athletes of tomorrow dropping out of sports. As part
of its commitment to help 2.5 million teens worldwide access the transformative
power of sport by 2030, Gatorade confronts the issue of confidence by unveiling
an emotive film where former England footballer, Rachel Yankey OBE, talks
confidence with a version of her younger self, created using de-aging
technology.

The film addresses issues that impact confidence such as gender inequality in
teen football, social media scrutiny on girls, and a lack of female coaches. It
captures Yankey meeting her 9-year-old self, who she called Ray. As a child,
Yankey cut off her hair, and pretended to be a boy, so she could play football.
Yankey admits 'Ray' made her feel 'free', undeterred by challenges like
exclusion from boy's teams.

Yankey talks with her younger self, recalling her determination to play football
despite male players' objections. The story then unfolds with interviews between
Yankey and three young female players from today, each revealing they are
treated differently because they play football and talking about the impact on
their confidence to stay and play football. Despite there being more girls
playing football today than ever before, they are still facing the same issues
Yankey did when she was eight years old, in the 1980s.

Speaking about the Rachel Meets Ray film, created by Gatorade, former England
Lioness and Arsenal Women's player, Rachel Yankey OBE says, "I want this film to
send a message that there is still a long way to go before we have complete
equity across football for women and men. Talking to my 9-year-old-self left me
speechless and brought home the pride I have in my younger self. Ray made me
feel free. She was undeterred by what anybody else thought of her, and I think
it was this resilience within myself that I hope I can pass on to today's young
footballers."

To make a positive change, Gatorade will bring global legends Rachel Yankey OBE,
Laia Aleixandri (current Manchester City and Spain International), and Fernando
Llorente (former Athletic Bilbao and Spain International) to talk about how to
keep self-esteem and confidence high with the final girls' teams of Gatorade 5v5
tournament at the UEFA's Women's Champion's League finals this weekend in
Bilbao.

Gatorade 5v5 is an annual global football tournament for 14-16-year-olds, which
promotes equal opportunities for young talent. Now in its seventh year, it