Big competitions increasing girls interest in sport
England's Lionesses play Wales in their final Group D match of the UEFA Women's Euros tonight.
A Northamptonshire football coach tells us young girls interest in playing football has increased since the Lionesses successful performances at major international tournaments.
England's Lionesses play Wales in their final Group D match of the UEFA Women's Euros 2025 tonight. It follows a loss to France and a win over the Netherlands. A win tonight will see them progress to the quarterfinals.
Matt Goude is the club secretary at Blisworth FC:
"Off the back of the Euros that were in England we only had one team, following their (Lionesses) success we quickly had enough interest for four and next season we will have eight."
Matt says it's encouraging to see many of the young girls playing saying that their favourite player is a woman:
"A lot of the players now have females rather than males as their favourite players which is great."
Matt says it's not just the Euros that are feeding girls and women's intertest in the game.
"I think it's not just the Euros, it's the fact that the Women's Super League is on mainstream television. And the ladies are getting to play at the main grounds so it's more visible."
Despite the uptake Matt says despite demand for more players, they're still looking for more especially in school years 4 and year 7.
Player Sophie is striker for Blisworth Under 10s and tell us what she loves about the sport:
"What I think most about football is scoring goals and spending time with my friends. I'm really excited for the Euros this week and obviously I'm supporting England. Ella Toone is my favourite player."
8 year old Grace also plays for Blisworth FC:
"My favourite players are Ella Toone, Lucy Bronze and Mary Earps and I think England are going to win the Euros 2025."
Meanwhile Wales manager Rhian Wilkinson believes all the pressure will be on England in tonight's final group game at the Women's Euros.
The Lionesses are defending champions and will progress to the quarter-finals with a win, with their head coach Sarina Wiegman saying there are always high expectations on her side.