Young innovators crowned

Young innovators crowned as #DigiInventors Challenge celebrates nine years of digital health ideas

A team of South Lanarkshire schoolgirls has won the Scottish title at this year's #DigiInventors Challenge for an app designed to get more girls into football.

The #DigiInventors Challenge is DHI's flagship schools competition, run in 2025 in partnership with Scottish Women's Football. Now in its ninth year, it has engaged nearly 2,700 young people across Scotland and the UAE, challenging them to develop digital solutions to real-world health and wellbeing challenges. This year's challenge asked pupils to consider how technology could help inspire more girls and women into football, challenge stereotypes, and promote healthier lifestyles.

She Scores Solutions, a team from St Andrew's & St Bride's High School, created TrainHer – a gamified training app that helps girls under 16 build confidence and develop their football skills through daily challenges, leaderboards and rewards.

The idea was inspired by teammate Maya Barcella's own experience. When she joined a local boys team she struggled to fit in – and that motivated her and classmates Sophia Barcella, Hannah Lee and Lucy Waters to create something that would help other girls feel welcome in the sport.

Maya said: “From the start it felt like I didn't belong – the boys wouldn't talk to me or even warm up with me. It was because of this we felt that creating TrainHer would help girls grow in confidence and encourage more girls to get involved.”

Sophia, who plays for Motherwell FC, said: “Having played for many teams I know all the benefits that football can have on young girls. We hope our app can get the next generation of girls to play football.”

According to sportscotland, just 55% of teenage girls meet recommended physical activity levels outside school, compared to 66% of boys. TrainHer aims to close that gap by making training fun, social and rewarding.

The app features daily challenges, leaderboards and rewards including tickets to women's football matches. During development, the team consulted other pupils, including those who play for girls' football teams. They shared the challenges they face and suggested features they'd like to see – including a community page where girls can connect and support each other.

Vivienne MacLaren, Chair of Scottish Women's Football and judge at this year's #DigiInventors Challenge, said: “We know girls' participation in sport drops off at key stages, and the overuse of digital technology has meant many feel self-conscious about how they look when exercising. So putting digital tools to good use – encouraging girls into football, building community and building confidence – is so important. The pitches I heard were all exceptional and it was extremely difficult to pick a winner. I'd like to congratulate all the finalists and look forward to supporting the winners in any way I can.”

Professor Eleanor Shaw is Associate Principal at the University of Strathclyde and also judged this year’s competition. She said: “I was blown away by the quality of the pitches made by the young people. Their passion and commitment to addressing pressing health and wellbeing challenges was inspirational. It was incredibly difficult to select only two winners, and on behalf of Strathclyde Inspire, I'm keen to explore how we can continue to support the development of these excellent ideas.”

Craig Miller, Computing Science Teacher at St Andrew's & St Bride's High School, said: “The competition has been a wonderful experience for all involved. Pupils have grown in confidence and developed their digital skills alongside learning about the process of turning their vision into reality. The team at DigiInventors have been an amazing support.”

Martina Hendry, Lead Officer Raising Attainment – Primary, at South Lanarkshire Council, said: “We are immensely proud of our pupils from St Andrew's and St Bride's High School. Their solution addresses real barriers that girls face in football and turns training into a motivating, confidence-building experience. Rooted in the pupils' own observations and experiences, TrainHer encourages young women to stay active and feel empowered to participate in a sport they enjoy. The professionalism and ambition they've shown throughout has been exemplary.”

A primary school edition of the #DigiInventors Challenge launches on 5th January 2026, inviting all P5-P7 pupils across Scotland to develop their own digital health and care ideas.

Professor George Crooks OBE, CEO at Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre, who presented the award to the winning team, said: “After nine years of #DigiInventors, we've seen first-hand how powerful it is when young people are given the tools and confidence to tackle health challenges that matter to them. TrainHer is a brilliant example of that in action. Expanding the programme to primary schools is the natural next step – we want to inspire that entrepreneurial, problem-solving mindset at an even earlier stage and show pupils across Scotland that their ideas can make a real difference.”

The UAE title went to Posture+ from Pristine Private School – a smart wearable patch that detects slouching and gently vibrates to prompt better posture. Paired with a gamified app, it helps students, workers and athletes build healthy habits and prevent back pain.

Scotland Runner-Ups (in no particular order)

●        The Queens Ball - St Ninian's High School

●        S.T.A.R.A - St Luke's High School

●        SoleTech - Merchiston Castle School

UAE Runner-Ups (in no particular order)

●        Nova Voice - Arab Unity School

●        Flourish - Arab Unity School

●        Kenetique - Pristine Private School

For more information, visit: www.dhi-scotland.com/digiinventors