The Lionesses’ impact on women’s grassroots football

Wembley Stadium

The UEFA Women’s Euro Championship was a game-changer for women’s football, with the Lionesses’ not only lifting the trophy but also igniting a newfound passion for the sport across the nation. The impact the squad has had on the grassroots football inspiring young girls to take up the game and has fostered a more inclusive environment for the sport. Since the tournament, a ripple-effect has occurred with their being a huge increase in factors such as participation, media coverage, and investment.

With the FA launching a strategy to inspire positive change in 2020, in the last four years the number of women and girls playing football has increased by 56% which has made the game more accessible, inclusive, and diverse. However, it’s not just on the pitch that the women’s game is growing, with the number of female coaches being developed rising by 88% from 2020-2024 and referee statistics going up by 113% there has been a clear and positive correlation between the Lionesses’ and increased participation

Increased Participation

Since triumphing in the Women’s EURO 2022, participation levels of the sport were seen to have an immediate increase in the aftermath of the tournament with just under 1,500 new women’s grassroots teams being created all over the UK. Their success has encouraged parents to give their daughters the chance to play the game they love and imitate their role models on and off the pitch, whilst also recognising the physical and mental benefits it can have as they grow up such as keeping fit, the confidence to express themselves and creating friendships as part of a team.

BBC analysis found that there are twice as many registered female football teams in England as there were seven years ago which has allowed a pathway into amateur football for thousands nationwide. One club that has been nurturing the footballing talent of young girls is the Bedfordshire based club Flitwick Eagles founded in 1986. Jasmin Currey said: “I’d say that the availability for girls in sport overall not just in football has improved massively… and the support system is near on par with the men’s but still not the same.”

“The game is definitely going in the right direction but just need more exposure… because as a whole women’s sport isn’t really promoted a lot.”

Visibility and Media Coverage

The Lionesses have played a pivotal role in increasing media coverage of women’s grassroots football, transforming the media landscape of female sports and gaining more airtime on our televisions. Their European success drew the attention of broadcasters and journalists and was a turning point in the history of the women’s game. With a global audience of over 365 million people watching the tournament and subsequently 50 million tuning in for their final win over Germany these figures highlighted the need of increased publicity, visibility and overall media coverage of women’s sport. At its peak, the final on BBC One brought together an audience of 17.4 million, making it the most-watched women’s football game on UK television. These numbers were sustained a year later between England and Spain as the World Cup Final was watched by 14.4 million people.

Maya Schofield of Barnsley Women’s FC and first team vice-captain of Leeds Beckett University said: “I remember watching the two Lionesses finals so clearly… to me it felt like the whole of the nation was behind the Lionesses just like they would be for the men’s.”

“I think its great that women’s football now has some household names which wasn’t the case even five years ago… it just goes to show that now you see more of the Women’s Super League and international games, people are taking notice.”

The impact that media coverage has had on grassroots as well as merely bringing the entertainment factor highlighting the talent of the players, has allowed for more visibility and has encouraged young girls to follow in the footsteps as the Lionesses. With more broadcasting companies such as Sky Sports showing the Women’s Super League, this has helped tackle longstanding stereotypes about the women’s game and promote the idea that it’s just as exciting as the men’s. This theme runs all the way through to grassroots by inspiring a new generation at a local level. However, this is only possible due to funding, without investment into grassroots programs, the formation of new teams and leagues isn’t possible.

Emily Elmes who played for Scotton Scorchers JFC before playing for Harrogate Town Women’s said: “Since the Euros, it is clear to see the huge shift in women’s football from participation, coverage, and the general respect it now has from the tournament… When I was younger, I often got told that football was a men’s game however more recently, I can see a change in opinions now that I work in football.”

“The women’s game still has a long way to go but it is definitely going in the right direction which is great.”                                                       

Support and increased investment

Increased investment is the main driving force with the women’s grassroots football as without it factors such as increased visibility and participation wouldn’t be possible. More funding over the past four years has allowed clubs to enhance their facilities, equipment and training leading to a more structured environment for young female players. The combination of financial backing and community support has significantly strengthened the foundation of women’s football paving the way for future success of women’s football.

The government and the FA were quick to provide for women’s grassroots football off the back of the tournament in 2023 announcing that they would fund £30m to go towards delivering roughly 30 new 3G pitches and facilities to support more women and girls into grassroots sport.

So, with the start of a new era for the women’s game, the positive effect that the Lionesses’ have had on grassroots football and young girls goes beyond merely inspiring a new generation of Lionesses and increasing visibility for media coverage. Their success captured the public’s attention resulting in greater support from governing bodies and has laid down a strong foundation for future growth of the sport and sustainability in communities across the country.