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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Seren Morris

Parents share how the Lionesses have inspired their daughters’ love of football

Football Lionesses England ENG (Organization) James Roberts Russo BBC Sport

England women’s football team is through to the final of the EURO 2022 tournament, after beating Sweden 4-0 in a stunning semi-final match on Tuesday.

Their performance throughout the tournament has captured the nation–and has inspired thousands of girls and women to get involved in football, whether as players or spectators.

Ahead of the final in Wembley on Sunday, football fans are calling for more to be done to nurture the interest the EUROs have sparked in girls across the UK.

Following Tuesday’s match, former professional footballer and sports commentator Ian Wright called for girls to be given the opportunity to play football at school: “Whatever happens in the final now, if girls are not allowed to play football, just like the boys can, in the PE, after this tournament, then what are we doing?

“We’ve got to make sure that they are able to play and get the opportunity to do this, because this is going to inspire a lot of people. But if there’s no legacy to this, like we saw with the Olympics, if there’s no legacy after this, then what are we doing?

“Because girls should be able to play, because this is the proudest I’ve ever felt of any England side. This is what it’s about.”

England women’s football team inspires love of football in young girls

In inspiring social media posts, parents have been sharing how excited their daughters have been to watch the women’s matches and how they have been inspired to start playing football themselves.

BBC Sport shared a video of a young girl singing and dancing to Sweet Caroline.

Chris Towlson said footballer Demi Stokes made his daughter’s night by waving to her on their way to the semi final.

TV producer Ally Farrell said: “Gave my Wembley tickets away to my mate and his 10-year-old daughter, who is now hooked on football for life and has a Lionesses final to look forward to on Sunday.”

Historian Greg Jenner said: “I had my first daddy-daughter kickabout with my toddler this week. She loves football and tonight I showed her how to do a back-heel. What I’m saying is *I* am directly responsible for that gorgeous Russo goal…”

Mike Bovill said: “I love the fact it’s going to be perfectly normal for my 2-year-old daughter to grow up watching England play football/cricket/rugby and to love sport the way I did as a kid.”

MP Munira Wilson said: “I love that I’m watching women playing football for their country in front of a full stadium on BBC1, with my 8 year-old daughter giving her ‘expert’ commentary and demos. More please!”

Laura Durham said: “As the mum of a daughter who eats, sleeps and breathes football…this makes me so proud that the lionesses are leading the way and inspiring my baby”

Sarah Browning said: “Anyone else got Sweet Caroline blaring from their teen daughter’s bedroom this morning?! Her love for, and involvement in, football is validated every time she sees her heroes celebrated by the world around her. This is why it matters.”

Author Lorraine Candy said: “Spent quite a lot of my life watching football only because my husband does but have never seen a goal as good as this! We’re loving watching the Lionesses as a family and my footie mad 11 year old daughter can’t wait for Sunday.”

James Roberts said: “Watching my 6 year old daughter dance around, clap, even do some weird chants whilst watching these Lionesses play great football. Could not be prouder and im thankful she has a chance seeing it live on TV. Love it, IT’S COMING HOME.”

Footballer Aoife Mannion said: “Impact of the Lionesses in #WEURO2022 on little girls just incredible - in the village near me we are creating 3 girls teams in September from scratch - that’s how many parents have got in touch with the village junior team saying their daughter wants to play!!”

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