The Government has faced backlash for making a u-turn decision and refusing to commit to ensure that girls have equal access to football in schools.
This is despite their promise to ensure equal access to women’s football when they initially made the bid for the UK to host the UEFA Women’s EURO tournament back in 2018.
In addition, the Government has recently faced criticism for refusing to make football part of the national curriculum and for declining to update its guidelines to make football more inclusive.
The Government’s lack of consideration for women’s football has even led to England’s Lionesses, the current European champions, calling for change. They state that only 63% of girls can play football in school PE lessons, and have called on the Government to ensure that girls have access to at least two hours of PE each week while making football mandatory – something which the Government has refused to do.
The Progressive Alliance are now backing the Lioness’ calls for equality in the sport.
Councillor Jane Carr, Lib Dem Progressive Alliance Cabinet Member responsible for sport, said:
“This summer, England became European Champions for the first time in history. Since then, the 23 inspiring players have set out their goal to encourage women and girls to take up football.
“It’s a shame that the Government aren’t engaging with the players’ calls to make football equal and accessible for all. The Government has even gone as far as refusing to change the wording of guidance which states that girls should be taught ‘comparable sports’ to football. What sort of picture does this paint for women’s football?
“It’s crucial that women and girls have equal access to the sport, to ensure it can be played and enjoyed by generations to come. Women’s football deserves better, and we’re calling on the future prime minister to ensure the sport gets the treatment it deserves.”