The Lasting impacts of the Women’s Euros 2022
How can we turn inspiration into action in Schools?
Emily Horton, BA Human Geography student at Lancaster University and DECSY volunteer
It’s coming home as the England team made history, with an incredible win in the Women’s EURO 2022 final. The team displayed talent, teamwork and confidence in their final performance winning the game 2-1 against the German team. Emotions were high as the women celebrated their win, understanding their achievements would have impacts beyond the tournament inspiring young girls across the country to get involved and strive for excellence.
Throughout history women’s football has faced many challenges. The sport rose in popularity from the first official match in 1895. During the World Wars, the sport gained popularity through its ability to bring people together and lift morale in trying times. The Dick Kerr’s Ladies football team was one of the most famous at the time, made up of local factory workers the team attracted crowds of 10,000 on Christmas day as they beat Arundel Coulthard Factory 4-0. The first international game was played in 1920 with an attendance of 25,000. On Boxing Day of 1920, Dick Kerr’s Ladies match against St. Helen's Ladies at Goodison Park, Liverpool drew a crowd of 53,000 spectators (with 12,000 more unable to get in), a world record for women's club matches that lasted for over 98 years. Despite rising popularity, women were banned from playing on Football League grounds in 1921 as the sport was seen as ‘unladylike’. It wasn’t until 1971 that this ban was lifted, and the first Women’s FA Cup Final was played in 1971. The sport has grown over time and is one of the most popular sporting activities for women and girls in England with 3.5 million playing both casually and competitively. Attitudes to women in football have significantly shifted over time and the Women’s EURO 2022 have played a large part in this. The Women’s EURO 2022 final broke records, with over 17 million viewers tuning in to the final game.
Captain Leah Williamson states the tournament will encourage change in wider society, not just women’s football as it demonstrates women’s capability to achieve alongside their male counterparts.
“for every success that we make, and for every change of judgement or perception, or opening the eyes of somebody who views women as somebody with the potential to be equal to her male counterpart, I think that makes changes in society”
There is no doubt that girls across the country will be inspired by the women’s performance providing excellent role models young people can relate and aspire to. The FA chair Debbie Hewitt expressed the importance of getting girls playing football in schools across the country, with the impact of the win acting as ‘rocket fuel’.
Following the games, it is important to carry forward the inspiring messages and translate these into achievable actions that will support young women in sport in the future. It is important discussions about women’s football are not limited to times of large tournaments and are instead carried through to local levels in schools grassroots organisations. There are still many barriers to female footballers. Many girls, including those on the England team, have had to fight to play on boy’s teams in local leagues and be taken seriously as players. The lionesses collectively addressed a letter to Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak stating the achievements of the team are only the beginning. At present only 63% of girls have access to football in PE lessons and the team asked for the Prime Minister’s support in taking this figure to 100%.
Alongside the tournament, UEFA have developed a women’s football strategy that aims to double the number of women playing football in UEFA’s member associations to 2.5 million and double female representation on all UEFA bodies. UEFA also aims to inspire positive change though encouraging involvement and equal access to football in primary and secondary schools. They aim for “every girl to have equal access to participate for fun, for competition and for excellence”.
At a more local level UEFA aims to achieve these targets through the legacy programme. In all 9 host cities of the games, the UEFA legacy programme will be carried out. Sheffield (where DECSY is based) hosted several games within the tournament and from this opportunity the Sheffield City Trust and other associations hope to carry forward the legacy of the games within the community. Football development manager at Sheffield and Hallamshire County FA Sarah Wood states: “We want to inspire women and girls to get involved in the beautiful game, whether this is playing at a grassroots club, coaching a team or refereeing a game.” Some of the aims of the programme include:
- Engaging with over 90% of primary and secondary schools to offer girls-only football opportunities
- Double the number of recreational opportunities through the Wildcats programme and Premier League Kicks
- Launch a range of female-only competitions across all age groups
- Have 140 primary schools engaged in the Girls’ Football School Partnership programme by 2024
- 50% more girls aged 5-16 years old having a recreational opportunity within five miles of their homes
- Double the number of female coaches and referees by 2025 (from 75-152)
The programme also aims to engage under-represented groups, provide best-practice safe-guarding and high quality facilities providing a positive and encouraging environment for all. Details of how to get involved with the programme and key contacts are located on the final page of the booklet linked in the resources section below.
Young girls gain many things through participating in sport, including health and mental health benefits, building their confidence, and gaining other skills that they can carry into the future. The women’s EURO 2022 has demonstrated women’s skills capabilities and translating this inspirational performance into positive actions in the local community will have endless positive impacts.
Useful resources
The FA, Sheffield UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 Legacy Programme: Contains useful information about the Sheffield Legacy programme, the goals of the programme and key contacts and links to get involved https://www.thefa.com/competitions/uefa-womens-euro-2022/legacy-programme/sheffield-euro-2022-legacy
England football, find football: Search engine to find local teams, casual football for adults and children. Parameters can be set to fulfil any requirements and best suit the needs of the individual - https://find.englandfootball.com/
Girls’ Football School Partnerships by England Football: Supported by the youth trust, this programme outlines goals to give girls equal access to football in schools by 2024. In addition to this there are other programmes aimed at different age groups to get involved in. The website has posters, digital resources and Free teacher training and CPD. Schools can also make a pledge to #LetGirlsPlay and join a points scheme that rewards and recognises schools doing great work. - https://girlsfootballinschools.org/
The FA Premier League Primary Stars Programme: Available to all primary schools in the UK, the programme aims to inspire girls and boys aged 5-11. Includes free teaching materials for both PE and teamwork as well as English and Maths. A range of activity ideas, worksheets and lesson and assembly plans linked to the national curriculum. - https://www.thefa.com/get-involved/player/youth/premier-league-primary-stars-programme
FIFA, Football for schools: The programme includes a free digital application which gives access to an online learning platform, provision of equipment.
References
Karen Carney (The Guardian), The Lionesses were astounding in a tournament that had the wow factor. - https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2022/aug/01/the-lionesses-were-astounding-in-a-tournament-that-had-the-wow-factor
The FA, The History of women’s football in England - https://www.thefa.com/womens-girls-football/history#:~:text=1895%3A%20The%20first%20women's%20football,a%20French%20XI%202%2D0.
https://www.uefa.com/news/0276-15748cb0ba74-f342af5f57b8-1000--attendance-record-smashed/
BBC, Euro 2022 final: ‘We’ve changed the game’ – England captain Leah Williamson - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62380646
Four Four Two, Leah Williamson: England success has changed society, not just football - https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/leah-williamson-england-success-has-changed-society-not-just-womens-football-1659209741000
The FA, Sheffield UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 Legacy Programme - https://www.thefa.com/competitions/uefa-womens-euro-2022/legacy-programme/sheffield-euro-2022-legacy
The Guardian, The forgotten story of… the Dick, Kerr’s Ladies football team - https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2009/sep/09/england-women-football
Goal, England’s victorious Lionesses write open letter to UK Prime Minister candidates demanding more football for girls - https://www.goal.com/en/news/lionesses-letter-uk-prime-minister-football-girls/bltbc10ec762ca7ea66