England are now back-to-back European champions after beating Spain on penalties in the final of Euro 2025.
The likes of Chloe Kelly, Leah Williamson and Lucy Bronze became overnight heroes after bringing football home three years ago and now, their legacy is secure.
Interest in the women’s game has increased exponentially after that Wembley final and will no doubt do so again after the triumph in Basel on Sunday.
But speaking exclusively to the Metro, Fara Williams, the Lionesses most-capped player, says there are still many barriers in place holding back women’s football, calling for more to be done at grassroots level.
‘In terms of there being access into it, where the signposts are, how to get into it. The cost of it and then having the right environment when you’re there for these grassroots players,’ the former Chelsea midfielder said.
‘I think what the Lionesses did in 2022 was inspire more women to get out there, and not just the kids. They’d obviously inspired the kids, which they would naturally do.
‘But I think the fact that more women want to get out there and change their lifestyle. And if it’s mental health and they get out and do some exercise, it’s really important that they also have an opportunity and don’t feel like they’re too far gone from it.
‘The transformation has been massive. I think back to when we were growing up in terms of grassroots access, or even opportunities to be on a team, or even people that volunteer, that would want to put themselves out there and coach grassroots teams. There wasn’t very many around.
‘Just Eat with their Feed the Game program, you look at what they’re doing there, over 100 women and girls grassroots teams, getting kit equipment, coaches, facilities to play and all of that.
‘I think the fact that that’s all changed is due to the success of the Lionesses. So, I think that’s really in a good place.
‘Now, it’s about continuing that. More than anything, kind of continuing, trying to build the fan base off the back of this tournament, trying to filter it down to the club, keep giving opportunities.
‘There’s so many barriers into football. I think of underprivileged families, like I grew up in, giving them an opportunity and a platform to play and express themselves. It’s important that that’s accessible.
‘I know financially with how football has changed, that becomes more difficult. So it is important where we invest our money and where the opportunities come from. In terms of where can the game go, I don’t just want it to rocket and take off to where the men’s games are.
‘We keep it sustainable. We keep giving opportunities, and we keep developing. Hopefully, if we can really grow the domestic game, there’ll be less and less pressure on the Lionesses to kind of draw attention and funding through their success.
‘And as I say, with support from Just East and funding that goes in, it really does give women and girls the opportunity to just play and enjoy, which is what we all started out doing, right?’
Building on their long-term support for women’s football, and to celebrate the Women’s Euros, Just Eat is providing training equipment to 100 women’s and girls grassroots teams via the Feed the Game Fund so they can continue to play the sport they love. Teams can apply for training equipment at justeat-101.co.uk.
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