Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Sian Norris

‘We’ve come so far from saying women can’t play football’: girls gather to cheer on the Lionesses

Watching England’s game against Haiti in the Women’s World Cup in Hadleigh, Suffolk.
Watching England’s game against Haiti in the Women’s World Cup in Hadleigh, Suffolk. Photograph: Sonja Horsman/The Observer

Ninety minutes before the Lionesses took to the pitch for their World Cup opener, the under-11s Hadleigh United girls’ team kicked off their own tournament – a mini World Cup five-a-side organised by coach Matt French. More than two dozen girls, representing global national teams, showed off their skills to cheering families and friends.

After the final whistle, it was time to head to the clubhouse to watch the England women’s team play.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.