A new government pledge has ensured the Lionesses Euro-winning legacy following their open letter last summer.
It has been announced that every girl in England to be given equal access to football and school sport. This will increase female participation numbers across the country, a key point of the letter signed by the entire Lionesses team to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and former PM Liz Truss.
Sarina Wiegman's side beat Germany 2-1 in extra-time at Wembley last summer and only days later outlined their hopes for change moving forwards, publicly to the two Conservative party leadership candidates. In the powerful letter, the squad called for all girls to be able to play football at schools moving forwards and to have a different experience to they did growing up. The call to action then sparked dialogue between the players, The FA and Government, which has led to the announcement seven months later.
The Government will make it clear to schools that they are expected to deliver a minimum of two hours of PE per week and ensure that girls have equal access to all school sport, including football. The decision is backed by a multi-million-pound investment in school sport and after school activities.
Skipper Leah Williamson said the players saw securing a legacy to capitalise on the Euros win as "their responsibility" and revealed special player for one player in the squad who had driven forward the idea.
"The success of the summer has inspired so many young girls to pursue their passion for football," said Williamson. "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."
Schools that successfully deliver equal opportunities for both girls and boys will be rewarded through the School Games Mark - a government led awards scheme. Mark Bullingham, The FA’s Chief Executive said: “The magic of last summer’s Euros victory can now live on with a legacy that has the ability to change the future of women’s football and positively impact society.
"Equal access for girls is one of The FA’s strategic ambitions and for such progress to be made is a very proud day. We’re all extremely grateful to the players for using their voice to deliver change and would like to place on record our thanks to Government for the positive measures announced today."
Baroness Sue Campbell, The FA’s Director of Women’s Football added: “As soon as the final whistle was blown at Wembley on 31 July 2022, the players turned their attention to what they wanted their legacy from the tournament to be and what’s been announced today is as important as anything that was achieved on the pitch in the summer.
“We’re delighted that it will be made clear to schools that they should offer a minimum of two hours of PE and they must ensure that girls have equal access to all school sport, including football. The confirmation of long-term funding for the PE and Sport Premium and School Games Organisers and strengthened guidance and monitoring of how that money is spent, will have a significant impact on participation and also the physical and emotional wellbeing of the nation’s children."
