England Lionesses have called for the UK Government to invest in the future of Women’s Football in an open letter to Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss.
Sunak and Truss are currently embroiled in a battle to succeed disgraced Boris Johnson as UK Prime Minister and leader of Conservative Party, which saw the UK Government plunged into disarray since early July following Johnson’s resignation although he remains in place on an interim basis.
England meanwhile clinched a first major women’s title at 2022 UEFA Women’s Euro on home soil against a messy political backdrop, which was the country’s second footballing title since 1966 FIFA Men’s World Cup to end 56 years of footballing hurt with both wins secured against Germany.
Interest in women’s football consequently has hit new heights as evidenced by tickets for a friendly against USA at Wembley Stadium in October selling out in 24 hours, although tickets will be refunded or exchanged for play-off tickets if England are involved in World Cup Qualifying play-offs instead.
The Lionesses have consequently issued an open letter to Sunak and Truss calling for support in securing the sport’s ‘legacy and goal to inspire a nation.’
Although aware that many people will think that the sport’s legacy is already achieved, they went on to iterate that they ‘see this as only the beginning’ with calls for ‘real change’ in the UK with Sunak or Truss’ help depending on who becomes Prime Minister in September.
One particular aspect which the Lionesses wants to see targeting is access to women’s football for every girl in schools around the country, with only 63% of girls currently able to play football in P.E. at schools which goes against what they’re inspiring younger generations to do.
Every member of the 23-woman squad who played their part in England’s title success experienced those struggles whilst ‘growing up’ in their childhoods, during which others tried to stop them yet they just continued to play the nation’s beautiful game.
Summing up the sport’s progress in their open letter, the Lionesses said ‘Women’s football has come a long way. But it still has a long way to go.’
They went on to call for a minimum of two hours of P.E. per week in schools and further support for female P.E. teachers who play a ‘crucial’ role as ‘key role models’ in development and inspiring young girls but need resources in order to provide women’s football sessions to help kids ‘flourish’ in P.E.
On what impact they want to see come about from the Government’s support, the Lionesses said: ‘We have made incredible strides in the women’s game, but this generation of school girls deserve more.
‘They deserve to play football at lunchtime, they deserve to play football in P.E. lessons and they deserve to believe they can one day play for England. We want their dreams to also come true.’
Here is the Lionesses’ open letter in full via their official Twitter account.
“We see this as only the beginning.”
An open letter from our #Lionesses… pic.twitter.com/Ty9kA7zgGa
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) August 3, 2022
This statement comes off the back of various pleas from former male and female players within the game, especially after BBC pundit, Ian Wright urged those in power and education to seize upon the wave of positivity and ensure equality within football participation.
“Whatever happens in the final now, if girls are not allowed to play football just like the boys can in their PE after this tournament then what are we doing?” commented Wright after England thrashed Sweden 4-0 in the semi-finals.
England Lionesses manager, Sarina Wiegman meanwhile in her post-match conference acknowledged the importance of using these moments to inspire future generations as she said: “Those women are the trailblazers for the next generation.
“We should always remember the ones who went before us because they made a path for us. This team makes a path for the next generation.
“Never forget where you come from. We know it will change for the team from this moment but never forget the generation before. There was building and building to develop the competition here.”
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