England secured the EURO 2022 title, and since that moment, the growth has only escalated. With many role models now visible to young girls, an additional 50,000 girls have joined a football team. But the question looming over many heads is whether the growth is sustainable.
The most recent women’s EURO campaign occurred in July 2022, when the Lionesses were crowned European champions. Since the EUROs victory for England, there has been a significant surge of girls playing football. 70% of girls who love playing sport now dream of reaching the top but serious gender inequalities remain, with girls still struggling to be allowed to play football in Physical Education lessons at school.
The governing body said the number of women and girls playing football has increased by 56% since the 'Inspiring Positive Change' programme was launched in 2020. Since then, England have not only claimed the title of European winners, but have also reached the World Cup final a year later.
77% of schools now offer girls equal access to football, up by 14%, which breaks down as 88% of primary schools and 50% of secondary schools. Seventy-three 'emerging talent centres' have been established to nurture young players in high-quality environments - with the talent base having grown by 265%.
The FA reported the highest year-on-year participation increase among girls under 16. Data provided by the FA were based on estimated figures of total participation in any type of football; capturing formal and casual football participation – and showed there was a 140% increase in participation levels in the season following the tournament, followed by women aged 16 and older (53% increase). This amounts to 2.3 million more women and girls playing football post-tournament compared to the prior season.
The EUROs have left a huge legacy on women in sport with 298 new female coaches, 247 new female referees, 34,000 more women and girls playing football recreationally, 129,000 more girls playing regularly in schools, 1,222 completing the entry level playmaker coaching course, and 10,300 more girls playing competitively.
The EUROs also did wonders for the average attendance at women’s games. InEngland, the total attendance during the 2022/23 Women’s Super League (WSL) season surpassed 680,000, 172% higher than the 2021/2022 season, with average attendance per game-week nearly tripling. This was supported by the use of larger stadiums being used for the WSL games. In Germany, the women’s Bundesliga achieved a 231% attendance increase during the 2022/23 season compared to 2021/22.
Attendances in the Women's Super League are up by 239 per cent from 2021 to now, while the Women's FA Cup final has been a Wembley sell out in each of the past two seasons.
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