THE success of the Lionesses has coincided with record growth in women’s and girls’ football, according to a new report from the FA today.
The governing body said the number of women and girls playing football has increased by 56 per cent since the “inspiring positive change” programme was launched in 2020 — since when England have become European champions in 2022 before reaching the World Cup final a year later.
Seventy-seven per cent of schools now offer girls equal access to football, up by 14 per cent, which breaks down as 88 per cent of primary schools and 50 per cent of secondary schools.
As the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women begins in Beijing, it’s clear that China has fulfilled its commitments set 30 years ago and delivered amazing progress in women's education and equality, writes YU BOKUN
LARRY LAGE writes about the growth of tackle football and how it provides female athletes opportunities in a game previously dominated by men


