The Lionesses stunning Euros 2022 victory has changed the face of women's football in the UK forever.
The historic win has prompted discussion about how to maintain the momentum of championing women in football, and encouraging and supporting more girls to take up the sport. The ECHO spoke to Merseysiders working and playing women's football to see what differences they think can be made to the game.
Leanne Duffy is a former Everton player and manager of Liverpool Feds WFC. She said encouraging women to play football and developing their confidence is essential. The Liverpool Feds regularly host Wildcat sessions for young girls - non-competitive matches for players to get involved with football for the first time - and the women’s first team coaches volunteer in Liverpool schools to teach football to girls for four to five weeks.
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She believes the Lionesses will without a doubt encourage future generations. She said: “If you can see it, you can be it. The strives they’ve made are unrecognisable and there are more opportunities for youngsters coming into the game.”
Abby Pope, a member of the Fed’s women’s first team, has been playing football for 22 years. She believes the Lionesses have made history for women. She said: “I was always fighting against gender norms. I’ll never give up until my body gives up on me.
“I think the tournament will have changed the mindset of women in football. It felt like more than a victory to see those women do something to change the game, it was like a special shift.”
Liam Lennon-Vaughan, the U15 Manager at Whiston Juniors said: “The game proved it doesn't and shouldn't matter if you're a boy or a girl. It’s a different world now, the weekend shows how special it is just supporting the nation.”
He said gender is irrelevant when celebrating success, and seeing the coverage of the Lionesses in the media will give young girls positive role models. He said: “Everyone has heroes, how can you not when watching something so big? For a girl, when things are more highlighted, how could you not be inspired.”
Charlotte Harrison, a coach, and player at Formby Community FC believes despite the advancements in women’s football, representation needs to continue until real change is made. She said: “The more women who play, understand the rules, and get involved in the game the easier it is to break the stigma which unfortunately is still around women's involvement in the game.
“The best way to make football accessible is providing people the opportunity to get involved in the first place with open to join teams and some free sessions.”
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