T
hroughout an exceptional edition of the Women’s World Cup, brilliantly hosted by Australia and New Zealand, the Lionesses consistently triumphed. Whether it was their comeback against Colombia, their penalty shootout victory against Nigeria, or their triumph over a home crowd in Australia, this group of English players exhibited a remarkable combination of heart, courage, and skill.
On Sunday, they faced a Spanish team whose passing prowess made them deserving champions of the 2023 World Cup final. Unfortunately, the Lionesses couldn’t find a way to overcome them. However, as manager Sarina Wiegman and her squad come to terms with the bitter disappointment of defeat in the biggest match of their lives, the rest of us can acknowledge the tremendous accomplishments they have achieved.
Danny Blanchflower, a revered figure in football, once eloquently stated, “The great fallacy is that the game is first and last about winning. It is nothing of the kind. The game is about glory.” Over the span of two summers, the Lionesses have brought glory and honor to women’s football, integrating it into the national consciousness and propelling England to the forefront of the world’s fastest-growing sport.
Players like Alessia Russo from Arsenal and Keira Walsh from Barcelona have become international stars. Their example has inspired millions of girls who watched them on Sunday, fueling hopes and dreams that would have seemed far-fetched just a decade ago. It’s worth remembering that the Women’s Super League (WSL), which is now professionalized, was only established in 2011. Lucy Bronze, one of England’s star players, faced adversity in her youth as her parents had to travel long distances to find a girls’ game since she was excluded from her local boys’ club.
The challenge, as it was last summer, is to build upon the enthusiasm generated by these Lionesses through their remarkable performances. After their triumph at Women’s Euro 2022, WSL attendances surged by over 200%, and more girls are now participating in the sport than ever before. However, there is a need for structural and resource improvements, ranging from the provision of safe pitches for evening play to achieving equal access in schools.
Karen Carney, a former England player, recently conducted a review of the women’s game, likening it to a “start-up business” where exponential growth is not matched by sufficient investment. In 2022, the average earnings for WSL players ranged from £25,000 to £27,000, while their male counterparts earned £3 million. In the Championship, wages plummeted to as low as £4,000. Approximately £88 million is invested annually in men’s football academies, while the Football Association’s budget for the female equivalent is only £3.25 million. Such disparities are unjustifiable given the evident appeal and reach of modern women’s football.
Ultimately, the World Cup did not return home as it did in 1966. However, the true precedent for yesterday’s sold-out final was 1972 when the first England women’s international against Scotland was witnessed by a mere 400 spectators. The years of adversity that followed were all too real as generations of female players forged their careers amidst indifference and hostility. They paved the way for these Lionesses to become game-changers, awakening institutions to the immense potential of women’s sports. Now, it is the responsibility of politicians, sponsors, and broadcasters to sustain the momentum that has been generated.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
