The Lionesses may not have won the World Cup but their continued success is inspiring huge numbers of women and girls to get involved in the game.
Role models like Mary Earps, Lauren Hemp and Lucy Bronze are encouraging young girls to take up women’s football, one of the fastest growing sports in the UK.
The Lionesses’ outstanding performance in the World Cup comes in the wake of them winning last year’s European Championships.
Since that magnificent victory, nearly 200 new girls’ clubs have benefited from National Lottery funding.
I recently attended an FA event in Parliament, addressed by former Lioness Ellen White. Those gathered heard a big ask of Government is for every girl to have the same football opportunities as boys at school and clubs by July 2024.
This is on the back of the Lionesses securing a powerful political victory off the pitch after the Government promised to support their call for girls to be given equal access to all sports in schools.
Because there’s still a gender gap to close. At grassroots it can be a struggle for girls and women to find clubs and pitches where they can play. More volunteer female coaches are needed to train the girls coming forward. `
However, I’m pleased to report lots of exciting initiatives are being promoted by Cheshire Football Association.
Cheshire FA Football Futures programme has recruited a team of young female members to help shape the way football is run across the county.
The FA has been working hard to deliver a Girls’ Football School Partnership Programme.
There is a Cheshire Girls’ Football League, with nearly 5,000 players registered last season, alongside Cheshire Women’s and Youth League for adults.
Our fantastic local clubs are running more female football than ever with Wildcat fun sessions for girls aged five to 11 years and Squad Girls’ sessions for girls aged 12 to 14. Two Equal Game Ambassadors support clubs wishing to provide new opportunities to females.
The FA is also recruiting and mentoring budding female coaches. And in Cheshire we now have two licensed FA Girls’ Emerging Talent Centres. Because who knows? We might have a future Lioness in our midst!
For more details, visit: www.cheshirefa.com/play/youth/girls
Millions of girls want to play football wherever and whenever they want, with no barriers and no stereotypes. I echo their call — #LetGirlsPlay
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