England's Lionesses cemented their status as pioneers of the women's game this week when it was announced their open letter to the UK government had helped to secure a substantial financial package to enhance school sports for girls across the country.
Following their historic victory at last summer's Euros, all 23 members penned an open letter to to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and former PM Liz Truss, urging the government to give every girl in the nation the chance to follow in their footsteps.
And their appeal has proved to be a fruitful one; Mr Sunak confirming on Wednesday that more than £600m of funding is to be delivered over two academic years in a bid to vastly increase female participation in sports.
The government announcement coincided with International Women's Day, when a record 285,000 girls from schools across England took part in the FA and Barclays’ Let Girls Play Biggest Ever Football Session.
But what exactly does the significant upturn in funding mean for the millions of girls in schools up and down the UK?
Crucially, 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 sport, including football. The decision is backed by a £622m investment in school sport and after school activities.
Schools will be given strengthened government guidance on how to best utilise the funding. This blueprint will help to ensure every child is able to benefit from the investment and will also include equal access guidelines.
Schools will be further informed on how to maximise the impact of the funding by Ofsted, who will be publishing a report into PE in the coming months. A new digital tool will also be introduced to support schools in using the funding to the best advantage of their pupils.
Schools that successfully deliver equal opportunities for boys and girls will be rewarded through the School Games Mark.
England captain Leah Williamson, who - alongside defender Lotte Wubben-Moy - has been one of the driving forces behind the Lionesses' call to action, has welcomed the government's announcement and hopes it will "open the doors" for a new generation of aspiring female footballlers.
"The success of the summer has inspired so many young girls to pursue their passion for football," she said. "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."
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 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."
