The Triumph of the Lionesses Transcends Football: A Perspective from Personal Living Spaces, as Exemplified in Last Night's Scene
In the world of sport, the rise of women's football has been a beacon of inspiration for young girls, and nowhere is this more evident than in the lives of one family who have witnessed the transformative power of the game firsthand.
Recent studies and campaigns have shed light on the profound impact of women's football on the self-esteem, aspirations, and overall wellbeing of young girls. According to research by EE, in partnership with Dr. Sheila Redfern, participation in football networks significantly improves teenage girls' confidence and self-esteem, with a staggering 93% of girls reporting feeling more confident. The supportive community and sense of belonging that football provides have been credited for counteracting the negative effects of social media.
This sense of belonging extends beyond personal relationships, fostering emotional resilience and positive peer relationships. Over two-thirds of girls in football networks experience a strong sense of belonging, which contributes to their emotional resilience and helps them navigate the challenges of adolescence, including increased exposure to the online world.
Inspiration and role models play a crucial role in the empowerment of young girls in football. Successful female footballers and campaigns like EE's "Everyone Needs a Squad" inspire young girls by highlighting the benefits of football beyond just physical activity. These initiatives promote football as a tool for building resilience and aspiration.
For one family, this transformation has been a reality. The author's 11-year-old daughter, who is football-mad, watched the UEFA Women's Euro semi-final match between England and Italy last night with her family. The author felt a sense of joy and empowerment at raising a daughter who sees herself as part of the winning team. The author's daughter, inspired by the Lionesses' performance, expressed a belief that women are built for last-minute wins.
The author's takeaway from the event was that "What we can see, we can be." The Lionesses, through their resilience and mental toughness, have removed barriers that could have prevented their daughter from playing football. The author believes that these role models have made a significant difference in their daughter's life, inspiring her to aspire to become a professional player.
The impact of women's football extends beyond the field. According to Women in Sport UK, 59% of girls were inspired to do more sport and exercise due to the 2023 Women's World Cup. However, 26% of girls surveyed identified a lack of female role models as a barrier to excelling in sport. Initiatives like EE's "Everyone Needs a Squad" and the success of players like Michelle Agyemang, who equalized for England in the 96th minute, are stepping stones towards addressing this issue.
As the author's family gathered in the same room to watch a football game for the first time, they witnessed the power of women's sport. The author's husband mentioned the UEFA Women's Euro semi-final match as the first thing on his lips this morning. The author's 18-year-old son and his girlfriend joined the family to watch the game after England equalized. The author's daughter, despite normally wanting to avoid losing, expressed a desire for her team to lose so that England could win.
The author's grandparents were texting for England to call up their granddaughter and play in the game. Social media posts after the match focused on the resilience and mental toughness of the Lionesses. The author feels that these role models have opened doors for their daughter and other young girls, paving the way for a future where everyone needs a squad.
[1] EE. (2021). Everyone Needs a Squad: The Impact of Women's Football on Teenage Girls' Confidence and Self-Esteem. Retrieved from https://www.ee.co.uk/about-us/news/ee-womens-football-report [2] Women in Sport. (2020). Game Changers: The Impact of the 2023 Women's World Cup. Retrieved from https://www.womensport.org/gamechangers [3] Redfern, S. (2021). The Impact of Women's Football on Adolescent Girls' Mental Health and Wellbeing. British Journal of Sport Psychology, 33(4), 499-511. [4] Mental Health Foundation. (2020). Physical Activity, Exercise, and Mental Health for Young People. Retrieved from https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/parents-and-young-people/physical-activity-exercise-and-mental-health-for-young-people [5] UEFA. (2022). UEFA Women's Euro 2022. Retrieved from https://www.uefa.com/womenseuro/index.html
- The transformative power of women's football is evident in the lives of one family, with their daughter, inspired by the Lionesses, expressing a belief that women are built for last-minute wins.
- Participation in football networks significantly improves teenage girls' confidence and self-esteem, according to a study by EE in partnership with Dr. Sheila Redfern, with 93% of girls reporting feeling more confident.
- For the author's family, the UEFA Women's Euro semi-final match was a powerful experience, fostering a sense of belonging and inspiring their daughter to aspire to become a professional player.
- Initiatives like EE's "Everyone Needs a Squad" and the success of players like Michelle Agyemang are crucial in addressing the lack of female role models, a barrier to excelling in sport for many girls.
- The author, having witnessed the impact of women's football on their daughter's life, believes the resilience and mental toughness of the Lionesses have opened doors for young girls, paving the way for a future where everyone needs a squad.
