A study by Football England, which is part of the Football Association (FA), published in The i newspaper, reveals that 72 per cent of primary schools offered equal football coaching to boys and girls last year but this fell to just 44 per cent in secondary schools.
Just over a third of secondary schools offered girls equal access to football coaching through extracurricular clubs outside school hours, the report adds.
Meanwhile, a study by Childwise shows that more than a third of girls aged seven to 17 would like more opportunities to play football.
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The survey, which polled almost 2,000 boys and girls in the same age group, also finds that 52 per cent of girls have never watched football in a stadium, compared with 33 per cent of boys.
As England’s Lionesses stormed to a 2–1 victory against Germany at Wembley, organisations supporting girls and young women, youth sport organisations and sports stars said the “historic moment” should mark a sea change in access to all sports for girls and women.
17.4 MILLION. 📺😍
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) August 1, 2022
Witnessing HISTORY! pic.twitter.com/LJB709VoVj
Girlguiding said in a tweet: “What an absolutely incredible tournament this has been – we feel so proud to be part of it. Representation in sport is so important, and Lionesses have shown that girls can do anything.”
Meanwhile, a tweet from The Youth Sport Trust said: “What an amazing performance last night. Lionesses are fantastic role models for all girls who want equal access to football at school.”
What an absolutely incredible tournament this has been - we feel so proud to be part of it. Representation in sport is so important, and @Lionesses have shown that girls can do anything 🙌💙⚽️ #WEURO2022 pic.twitter.com/pmF9Rf5Bc8
— Girlguiding (@Girlguiding) July 31, 2022
Sector leaders also shared stories of “not being allowed” to play football at school.
Esther Horner, deputy director of youth work at the National Youth Agency, wrote on Twitter: “Six-year-old me: 'I wish I was a boy so that I could play football for real…'
“41-year-old me: 'I wish I was six and knew what lay ahead so I could play football, as me, for real. What a change ladies.'”
My boys asked why I was crying and I told them that when I was little girls weren’t allowed to play football (outside than in the garden or park). There’s been such a fight to get here before they even entered the stadium glorious #Lionesses
— Nicole Lampert (@nicolelampert) July 31, 2022
Angela Salt, chief executive of Girlguiding, said: “As a child I was told off for playing football, girls weren’t allowed. Started playing in my 30s with a bunch of men from work. Playing still, some 20 years later. Girls can – or should be able – to do anything. That’s what Girlguiding is about. Go Girls!”
Feel so emotional today. After this photo was taken I was told I couldn’t play in the team any more because it was just for boys. Didn’t play football again until an adult. Thank you to all those who fought and broke barriers for today’s 5 year old girls. #Lionesses pic.twitter.com/16feLLoUOw
— Anna Turley 🌹🐝💙🇺🇦 (@annaturley) July 31, 2022
The campaign for equal access to the sport for girls from all backgrounds ramped up after former Arsenal player and pundit Ian Wright said on the BBC following England’s semi-final victory against Sweden: “Whatever happens in the final now, if girls are not allowed to play football just like the boys can in their PE lessons after this tournament, then what are we doing?”
"They are living their dream."@IanWright0 has had his say about the #Lionesses.
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 26, 2022
📱💻🖥 LIVE @BBCOne, @BBCiPlayer, @BBCSounds & the @BBCSport app.#WEURO2022 #BBCEuros #BBCFootball
A message from the Queen, published by Buckingham Palace, following the final said: “Your success goes far beyond the trophy you have so deservedly earned.
“You have all set an example that will be an inspiration for girls and women today, and for future generations.”
A Department for Education statement said the Lionesses’ success would “inspire a generation of girls to get involved with football”.
“Schools can decide what sports they offer and should aim to take their pupils’ views into account on which activities they want to be able to do,” it added.
