Page 17 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.35 2021-22

Girlguiding teams up with Euro 2022

Girlguiding, the UK’s leading charity for girls and young
women, and UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 have teamed up to
encourage more girls and young women to get involved in
football.
The partnership is being announced ahead of the UEFA
Women’s EURO 2022 tournament, which kicks off across
England this summer. It is hoped the collaboration will excite
and encourage girls and young women’s interest in football
and reinforce the sport’s inclusivity.
Girlguiding members will also have the chance to
commemorate the tournament with a brand-new badge,
whether they watch a match or take part in the co-created
football activities. Through the partnership, more than 5,000
Girlguiding members are planning to attend EURO matches
across England this summer. Tickets are still available for
matches at most venues. Prices start at £10 for adults and £5
for under 16s: www.uefa.com/womenseuro/ticketing.
To launch the partnership, Girlguiding members from
21st North East Manchester Rainbows, Brownies and Guides and the Greater Manchester
Rangers joined England’s Women’s footballers, Katie Zelem and Ella Toone for a fun training
session at Manchester United’s Old Trafford Stadium, which will host the opening game of
UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 on 6th July. The girls had the opportunity to try out new football
related activities co-created by Girlguiding and UEFA, before trying their hand at being a
sports journalist during a girl-led press conference.
England midfielder Katie Zelem said: “Getting to meet all the Girlguiding members was
incredible. They picked up the activities so quickly and we all had an amazing time on the pitch
talking about the game. As a former Rainbow, myself, it’s fantastic to be involved in such an
important partnership, one which I have no doubt will help inspire and build girls’ confidence
in the game.”
Team mate Ella Toone added: “I wish something similar had existed when I was younger,
and I look forward to the tournament this summer knowing that Girlguiding members up and
down the country will be cheering us on.”
Recent research commissioned by CHILDWISE found almost one third (32%) of girls
aged 7-17 would like more opportunities to play football and more than half of girls (52%) have
never watched football in a stadium, compared to 33% of boys.
The research also found 69% of girls would like to see women’s football celebrated more
in the media and 71% of all children (boys and girls) think female footballers should be paid the
same as male footballers.
Girlguiding Advocate Caitlyn, 22, added: “Football is such a great sport, to play and to
watch. I’m so excited Girlguiding and UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 have teamed up to help
more girls to get involved. The co-created activities are a great way to introduce girls to the
game and get across the important message that football is for everyone, not just for boys.”
Chris Bryant, Tournament Director for UEFA Women’s EURO 2022, added: “This
summer’s UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 promises to be the biggest women’s sporting event in
European history.
“It will inspire long-term, sustainable positive change in women’s and girls’ football and
we are delighted we have been able to team up with Girlguiding UK to support that change.
“Football is for all. We want to ensure whether its playing or watching, girls have the
confidence to get involved and the opportunity to do so. We can’t wait to see Girlguiding
members across England cheering on the teams at UEFA Women’s EURO 2022.”
Issue no. 35 - 19 May 2022 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk