Are there any other barriers or things that need to change for young girls and women to feel like they can get involved in football?
I feel like things are changing for sure. It wasn’t cool to be a female footballer. There were lots of stigmas that we’re all tomboys, for example, in terms of name-calling. But the Lionesses have made playing football for women a lot cooler. I know there was a big dropout around the grassroots age, around 14 to 16, where girls are kind of making that decision, do I want to go partying and getting boyfriends, or do I want to stick to football? The Lionesses have allowed for women, not just young kids, to get back into the game or to start the game for the first time and use it as a way of exercising.
But then there’s the expense of it, football pitches now are quite expensive to rent out, and that’s why campaigns and brands are so important to help invest and give everybody any level the opportunity to play.
Jonathan Moscrop / Getty Images
I’m conscious that it’s not just getting women on the pitch, it’s the opportunities for women working in sports media. How have you found that side of things, and do you think access is improving?
I do think there are a lot more opportunities for females. Of course, we would love to see more of that in different areas of the game. I think certainly we’ve seen more visibility of female pundits, female presenters. We know there have been a lot of females in media, but maybe we need more attention on the women behind the scenes doing work, like female coaches.
What excites you the most about the future of women’s football?
I think we’re in a really good position. I think keeping it sustainable is key. I think sustainability is the most important thing where we’re doing these campaigns for grassroots kids to have an opportunity to be professionals. Without the sponsors and brands that invest, that opportunity won’t be there.
For more from Glamour UK’s Lucy Morgan, follow her on Instagram @lucyalexxandra.