Whittlesey coach hopes England's Women's World Cup run means 'no boundaries'
He believes "any girl can play any sport"
A grassroots football coach in Cambridgeshire believes the England Lionesses can help women achieve whatever they want to.
England faced Spain in the Women's World Cup final in Australia on Sunday, having won the Euros at Wembley last summer.
Whittlesey Athletic Ladies has seen more players sign up over recent months and hope for more interest following England's World Cup run.
"They've proven there are no boundaries"
“Football has been seen as a man’s sport, however, I think the Lionesses are proving any woman, any girl can play any sport,” Gareth Booth, manager of Whittlesey Athletic Ladies, said.
“They are just as good as what the men are, so hopefully this will inspire them; they’ve proven there are no boundaries over anything.
“It shows if you’ve got the will and inclination to do it, you can achieve whatever you want to achieve, and the Lionesses are showing that to the nation and to the world.”
Last month a review into the future of women’s domestic football, led by former England player Karen Carney MBE, recommended an increase in investment to allow “meaningful access for women and girls to play sport.”
At the time, Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer MP said: “Women’s football has huge potential to improve the lives of women and girls and offer a special and accessible sporting environment for fans.”
Uptake on the rise at grassroots club - Booth
Across England, the government is investing £64 million, working alongside its Football Foundation partners the Premier League and the FA, to build and upgrade 1,600 grassroots sports sites this year to level up access to high quality sports facilities.
“We have had enquiries from individuals who are looking to get into the game, so the uptake is positive from our point of view,” Booth added.
“Clubs have got to include the women in everything they do, and I think as long as you talk to your players, the uptake is going to continue to come along.”