Women’s World Cup can inspire next generation, says Harlequins coach
The Lionesses started their World Cup campaign with a victory
The impact of England’s Lionesses triumph in last summer’s Euros will be built on by this year’s World Cup, says the manager of Bemerton Heath Harlequins Ladies team.
Since Chloe Kelly netted the winner at Wembley last summer, 2.3 million women and girls have been inspired to take up the game.
And Jason Mussellwhite believes players like Beth Mead and Georgia Stanway are paving the way for another generation of role models.
“After the Euro’s, Women’s Super League attendances have risen 172%, there was a 140% rise in girls playing football and 54% rise in ladies playing football,” Jason told Greatest Hits Radio.
He added: “Regardless of how how the lionesses do, I think this World Cup will continue to push, continue to move the game forward in the right positive direction.”
England started their campaign last Saturday (22nd July) with a 1-0 win over Haiti. Also in their group are Denmark (who they play today – 28th July) and China, who they face on Tuesday (1st August).
Grassroots Inspirations
A lot of players will remember pretending to be their heroes in the garden or the school playground. For Jason it was the likes of England’s Alan Shearer and Michael Owen or Italy’s Alessandro Del Piero.
For girls, the likes of Stanway, Mead and Lucy Bronze are providing inspiration to the next generation.
“Having that connection right down at (grassroots) level really creates that buzz, that belief that actually, there is something out there for me,” Jason said.
“It's not just a game for men, it's a game for everyone and I can play this, I can grow, and I can aspire to be at the top end of the game and be one of these fantastic role models for the next generation.”
A season of Harlequins first's
Bemerton Heath Harlequins launched their first ladies team this summer, which coincides with the men's team playing at their highest ever level of football.
He says the increased connection between mens and womens teams at the professional level is being felt at lower levels.
In years gone by, Ladies teams would have had to find their own grounds to play at, but Bemmy Ladies will play at the A-Class arena too.
“There's much more of a connection is the being part of that one club and the use of the facilities and being in those stadiums. Again, it just leads to that belief that women, girls and women can go down the same pathways as boys and men,” Jason told us.
“The impact of the previous tournament has been so big and we’re still feeling that right now.”