Page 3 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.24 2022-23

A record 285,000 girls from schools across England
took part in The FA and Barclays’ Let Girls Play
Biggest Ever Football Session, on the day the Prime
Minister announced that every girl in England is set
to be given equal access to football and school sport
as part of an all-sports pledge, meeting one of The
FA’s key strategic objectives.
Last year, 90,000 girls took part in the
inaugural Biggest Ever Football Session, and after
an incredible year for women’s football, with
England winning UEFA Women’s EURO 2022, the
momentous occasion and efforts of the team have
now delivered a true long-lasting societal change.
From Northumberland to Cornwall, sessions
took place all over the country to signify the
importance of unlocking equal opportunities for girls to play football in their schools and
communities. A record number of primary and secondary schools came together to deliver the
Biggest Ever Football Session and highlight the demand for girls’ football, showcasing just how
important the announcement by the Government is on new standards for equal access to sports.
Sue Campbell, The FA’s Director of Women’s Football, said: “The record number of girls taking
part in our Let Girls Play Biggest Ever Football Session this year is simply remarkable. We have
tripled the number of girls taking part compared to last year, which just shows the increased demand
for girls to play football. Barclays investment into the Girls' Football School Partnerships has been
integral in supporting our ambition to get more girls playing football.
“We welcome the announcement by the Government today that there will be equal access for
girls to play sport including football in schools. I am so incredibly proud of the England Senior
Women’s squad and their continued effort and determination to drive equal access for girls, and the
next generation of Lionesses.”
Sasha Wiggins, Barclays Group Head of Public Policy and Corporate Responsibility, said: “It
was inspiring to see so many girls take part in the Biggest Ever Football Session, especially today, on
International Women’s Day and on the day the government has made a significant commitment to
ensuring equal access to sport in schools.
“We know that playing football supports the physical and mental wellbeing of young people,
whilst also teaching them valuable life skills, which is why we are delighted that today’s
announcement directly supports the investment Barclays has made to secure the infrastructure and
long-term sustainability of girls football.”
Ian Wright, Former player and Barclays Football Ambassador, said: “This is the legacy we
spoke about during the Euros. And this latest push is another step towards letting girls play football
if that’s what they want to do. Our national game is for everyone and 285,000 girls wanted to play
today - I was proud to be part of it! There is still a lot more work to do but this is a massive positive
step forward.”
Kelly Smith, Former player and Barclays Football Ambassador, added: “I dreamed of being a
footballer from such a young age and it was so hard to achieve it back then. Today’s amazing event
proves just how many girls want to play football and therefore how important it is to give them that
opportunity. I’m so happy to be part of anything that promotes equal access to the beautiful game
and I’m so proud to be a former Lioness, even more so with the current squad successes in pushing
for girls football in schools.”
Currently only 67% of all schools and 41% of secondary schools offer football equally to girls in
PE lessons and only 46% of schools provide the same extracurricular opportunities as boys.
The FA’s ambition, as seen in the Inspiring Positive Change strategy, is to have 75% of schools
providing equal access to football for girls in PE lessons and 90% of schools offering regular
extracurricular football by 2024.
The Let Girls Play campaign was launched in October 2021 to support The FA’s strategic
ambition to provide girls with equal access to football.
To find out more about the campaign and get involved, go to
www.englandfootball.com/LetGirlsPlay. To join the movement via social media, follow Facebook,
Instagram and Twitter using #LetGirlsPlay.
news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk