The Lionesses have achieved victory as the Government pledges to offer every girl in school to be given equal access to football and school sport.
After England’s triumph at UEFA Women’s EURO 22, all 23 players wrote to former prime ministerial contenders Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss urging them to change school sport and how equal access is needed for every girl in school.
The Government have announced that it will be a minimum of schools to deliver a minimum of 2 hours PE per week. As well ensuring all girls have access to all school sport including football.
The pledge has also been backed by a multi-million pound investment into school sport; more than £600m of funding will go towards this over the next two years. An additional £57m will go towards afterschool activities.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said “Last year the Lionesses’ victory changed the game. Young girls know when they take to the pitch that football is for them and, thanks to the Lionesses, they too could be a part of the next generation to bring it home for their country…We want schools to build on this legacy.”
Today’s announcement comes on International Women’s Day and also goes alongside Let Girls Play campaign where more than 200,000 girls will be joining in on events in school. This campaign was launched back in October 2021 to support and provide girls with equal access to football.
The letter sent after the EURO 22, all started with a conversation on the bus led by Leah Williamson and Lotte Wubben-Moy.
Leah Williamson has said “The success of the summer has inspired so many young girls to pursue their passion for football.
“We see it as our responsibility to open the doors for them to do so and this announcement makes that possible.
“This is the legacy that we want to live much longer than us as a team. On behalf of all the Lionesses players, we’d like to thank our teammate Lotte Wubben-Moy as a driving force behind this transformational change.
“We couldn’t be prouder to stand alongside her and we all look forward to seeing the impact this legacy creates.”
Lotte Wubben-Moy added “By making football more accessible to millions of girls across the nation, we have opened a crucial door for the growth of women’s football and women’s sport as a whole.
I’m proud to be part of something that will live on for generations to come. This is just the beginning.”
The Lionesses have shared numerous thanks to the support and shared how this is just the beginning. For young girls who dream of playing football or becoming a Lioness this is a massive step in the right direction.
Click here for Leah Williamson and Lotte Wubben-Moy’s recent announcement.
Photo: Ian Middlebrook
