The legacy of England Women’s EURO 2022 continued after the UK government announced that girls in schools must be given equal access to football and other sports.
Following the Lionesses’ historic campaign on home soil last summer, Lotte Wubben-Moy led the entire squad of 23 players co-sign a letter to then prime ministerial candidates Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak asking that all girls have access to football at school.
Currently only 67 per cent of all UK schools and just 41 per cent of secondary schools (aged 11-18) offer football equally to girls.
But the government has now announced that schools must correct this.
Commenting on the decision, Sue Campbell, director of women’s football at the FA, said: “We are delighted that schools are being made clear that they should offer at least two hours of sport and ensure girls have equal access to all school sports, including football.
“A conversation held by Lotte Wubben-Moy and Leah Williamson on the bus from the Trafalgar Square celebrations made real change in society today and the announcement is a testament to their tenacity and outstanding commitment to government . The FA are as proud of them as ever.”
Wubben-Moy has been outspoken on the subject since England’s triumph. The 24-year-old said last August that the lack of access to football for girls in the UK was “an inequality that should be illegal”.
She, Cambell and England captain Leah Williamson then met with former Prime Minister Truss in October to discuss the issue, which has now been tackled by Sunak’s government in conjunction with the FA.
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Wubben-Moy said: “By making football more accessible to millions of girls across the country, we have opened a crucial door for the growth of women’s football and women’s sport overall.
“I am proud to be part of something that will live on for generations to come. That’s just the beginning.”
Williamson added: “The success of the summer has inspired so many young girls to pursue their passion for football. We see it as our responsibility to open the doors to them, and this announcement makes that possible.
“This is the legacy we want to live on as a team much longer than we do. On behalf of all Lionesses players, we would like to thank our teammate Lotte Wubben-Moy for being the driving force behind this transformative change.
“We couldn’t be prouder to stand by her side and we all look forward to seeing the impact this legacy creates.”
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