Lionesses tell next PM: Don’t waste this chance
ENGLAND’S Lionesses have urged the next Prime Minister not to waste the legacy of their Euro 2022 triumph.
In an open letter to Tory leadership candidates Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss, signed by all 23 members of the squad, they called on the Government “to make a huge difference”.
They said fewer than two out three girls can play football in PE, which needs to change.
They wrote: “Throughout the Euros, we as a team spoke about our legacy and goal to inspire a nation. Many will think this has been achieved, but we see this as only the beginning.
“We are looking to the future, to create real change. We are asking you, if you were to become Prime Minister on 5 September, to help us achieve that change.”
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The team added: “Currently only 63% of girls can play football in PE lessons. We are inspiring young girls to play football, only for many to end up going to school and not being able to play.
“Growing up we were often stopped from playing. So we made our own teams and despite the odds, kept playing football.
“We ask you and your government to ensure that all girls have access to a minimum of two hours a week PE.
“Not only should we be offering football to all girls, we also need to invest in and support female PE teachers too.”
Chloe Kelly, whose extra time goal gave the Lionesses victory over Germany at Wembley on Sunday, told BBC Breakfast yesterday: “This could really be a turning point for women in sport.”
A spokeswoman for Liz Truss said: “Liz wants equal access to all sports for boys and girls. She is committed to investigating what prevents schools from delivering the recommended minimum of two hours of PE per week.”