Chatteris Town Ladies uses Lionesses' World Cup run to inspire next generation
The team is also backed by a former England goalkeeper
A women's football coach in Cambridgeshire feels if England go all the way at the Women’s World Cup, it will inspire more young girls to showcase their talents.
The Lionesses face Nigeria in the last 16 this morning after going through as group D winners with a 100 per cent record.
Kev Harness coaches Chatteris Town Ladies and feels the standard of the women's game has improved.
“It’s progressed so much in the last five years,” he said.
“The quality of the Lionesses is on a different level and that’s why they’re starting to win things now.
“It’s great for the women; they’re getting respect for doing something that’s been over many years, a ‘guy thing’ and now it’s a ‘girl thing’.”
But it’s not just the Lionesses that could have an impact on the next generation of footballers.
Former England goalkeeper backing women's grassroots club
Former England men’s goalkeeper David James has met the Chatteris Town Ladies team in recent weeks and offered his support to the development of women’s grassroots football.
“People like David, he can go and mention it to somebody and there could be an influx of coaches coming to watch,” said Kev.
“You can see some of them have immense quality, but what’s held them back is they haven’t had the exposure.
“We have a lot of young girls coming through at under 11 now who watch games on the TV and think ‘I want to have a go at that’.
“They come and play and you realise how talented some of the younger ones are and it would be great when they’re sought after just like the guys are.”