Advancements in Girls’ Football Access Following Euro 2022 Triumph

Following their victory at Euro 2022, the England women’s football team issued an open letter to candidates in the Conservative Party’s leadership election, advocating for every young girl to have the opportunity to play football in schools.

Remarkably, the target for 90% of schools in England to provide equal access to football for girls during physical education classes has been attained three years ahead of the original deadline set for 2028. This achievement is part of the Football Association’s (FA) broader strategy aimed at ensuring equal opportunities for women and girls in football.

The Barclays Girls’ Football in Schools initiative, initiated six years ago with only 3,000 participating schools, has expanded to include an impressive 20,202 schools.

According to the FA, approximately 2.6 million girls now enjoy equal access to football in PE classes, representing a 31% increase since the 2020-21 season. The FA attributes the Lionesses’ success at Euro 2022 as pivotal in influencing government discussions and propelling policy changes.

The team, under the guidance of Sarina Wiegman, reached out in their letter to then Conservative Party leadership candidates Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, emphasizing the importance of providing equal opportunities for all young girls to engage in football at school.

Currently, the FA reports that 90% of schools offer girls equal access to football within PE lessons for Key Stages 2 (ages 7-11) and 3 (ages 11-14). Ian Wright, a former England and Arsenal striker and ambassador for Barclays Football, stated, “This was never about girls becoming the next Lionesses; it was about normalizing girls playing football, just like boys do. It’s about equality.”

After their 2022 Euros victory at Wembley, England advanced to the Women’s World Cup final in the following year, where they faced Spain. They later triumphed over Spain to reclaim their European title in July.

Stacey Mullock, the FA’s head of development, emphasized, “No girl should ever face barriers to playing football in school. That belief compelled us to set ambitious targets and advocate for a cultural shift, ensuring girls have the same access and opportunities as boys.”

Despite these significant accomplishments, the FA acknowledges that further efforts are necessary for Key Stage 4 (ages 14-16), where numerous teenage girls disengage from team sports due to barriers related to confidence, body image, and negative perceptions.

The governing body aims to boost the percentage of schools providing equal opportunities through extra-curricular clubs from 83% to 90% by the year 2028.