Let’s follow the Lionesses’ lead and get more girls into football

It’s impossible not to be inspired by the Lionesses incredible success at UEFA Women’s EURO 2022.

Yet, no sooner had the trophy been lifted questions were being asked of how the legacy of the occasion would be cemented. Without doubt, the Lionesses have inspired a generation of young women and girls to pursue a pathway into recreational and competitive women’s football, but how can we ensure that everyone involved in the delivering the sport are doing their bit?

In terms of infrastructure, inroads are being made:

• The Government has invested £230 million to build or improve 8,000 grassroots football and multi-sports facilities by 2025, alongside the stipulation that they must provide access for women’s and girl’s football
• It has also been announced that a review of the domestic women’s game will launch later this summer, to look at how to grow the game at elite and grassroots level
• The FA has announced £1.75 million per annum for three years to launch emerging talent centres across England
• The FA Wildcats programme offers non-competitive football for girls who want to give the sport a go
• The FA aims for 75% of schools to provide access for girl’s football and for 75% of grassroots clubs to have at least one girls team
• Debate rumbles on about whether to make PE a core subject at school, which would improve sporting opportunities for young children nationwide

At Premier Education, we actively champion equality in all of the 30+ sports and activities we offer.

Equal opportunities

In delivering physical activity to thousands of primary schools across the country, we are uniquely placed to play an active role in offering high-quality sporting opportunities for all children, irrespective of their gender, ability, background, ethnicity or location.

It has also been suggested that targeting inner-city areas will also help to promote diversity in football, which is something we are able to do through working with city-centre schools.

Break down old-fashioned perceptions

We want to help break down any perceptions that football is a sport for boys. As an organisation we will continue to promote the accessibility and opportunities for girls as well as better showcase girls participating in football.

Girls encourage girls

We know that some parents are hesitant to send their daughters to football if they see more boys playing than girls. If more girls start playing, more will be attracted to join them, and by widening the net and eroding negative perceptions it can only be a good thing for the future growth of the sport.

Offer girls-only football courses

A number of our franchisees offer girls-only football courses in various locations across England for girls who would prefer to play football with girls their own age. These courses are key for creating that nurturing first step onto the football pathway and developing confidence and skills within more young girls, who may be discouraged if playing against boys.

If you’re a school wanting to increase the number of girls playing football or indeed other sports, please contact us. We are passionate about offering equal sporting opportunities for all.

Similarly, if you’re a parent with a daughter keen to try out football for the first time, encourage them to give it a go. As the Lionesses have capably demonstrated, girls match boys in skill, talent and potential.

So, while we continue to celebrate the inspirational success of the England women’s team, let us continue to do all we can to make the pathway for girls into football clearer than it’s ever been before.