Lionesses legend Jill Scott believes the growing investment in women's football is helping to "change the lives" of young girls up and down the country.
Following the success of last summer's Euros, there has been a considerable increase in dedicated funding for grassroots and girls’ football, with a number of high profile sports stars raising the awareness of the need for greater investment.
Scott, who was part of the Lionesses side that made history by winning England's first major trophy since 1966, is one of those leading the calls for sustained change in the women's game. “I think the investment is just such a massive part," she told Mirror Football.
"We know that the bottom of that pyramid is the foundation for our game, that’s the bit that holds everything else up and the Euros is at the top of that and the England team, but we need to invest in the grassroots football because ultimately, they are the players that are going to filter through to the top.”
Scott is right. It isn’t just sporting icons we’re seeing supporting girls and grassroots, it’s companies and organisations - some of which are already making a difference - especially with women at the helm as CEO's and in the boardroom. Scott is working with Starling Bank, one of the sponsors of last year’s Euros, to support an initiative which will provide £200,000 of kit to girl's and women’s teams.
It is an initiative that holds particular significance in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, which has prevented a number of grassroots clubs from taking on new players as both they and families struggle with a lack of funds.
“At the event I was at with Starling a few weeks ago, just to see how happy those kids were to receive their kits from the bank and all being in the same uniform, all look the same, all feel part of something, it really is changing lives in that sense and we just need to keep investing in it," Scott said.
“Is it going to be a case of we give them places to play, they get equipment, they get coaches and your daughter’s going to go on to play for England? No that’s not the case but what sport can teach is a real sense of togetherness, making friends, being fit, and being healthy.
“It’s more than people going on to play for England and playing international football, you are ultimately changing lives in the sense that these girls now feel a part of something and they’re going to become better people for that.”
Scott's collaboration with Starling coincides with the Football Association's plan for a major shake-up of the women's game that aims to unearth "a new generation of Lionesses" and make football more accessible to girls across the country.
The changes will mean the existing Women’s and Girls’ Player Pathway is transformed so there are up to 70 Emerging Talent Centres (ETCs) operating in England to cater for promising players between the ages of eight and 16. The FA - backed by the Premier League - has promised the new model will allow 95% of players to access an ETC within one hour of where they live by 2024.
As a result, the number of young female players engaged in FA talent programmes across the country is forecast to rise from 1,722 to more than 4,200 by the end of the 2023/24 season.
“For me if we’re encouraging young girls, and young boys, to play, we have to make sure there are enough safe environments for them to play in," Scott said.
“They are the future of the game so we need to look after them as if you would a top international player. There are going to be highs and lows, times you’ll be told yes and times you’ll be told no, but that’s just part of your journey and if we can provide support, a safe environment and a clean kit, we’re definitely going in the right direction.”
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