Women's Euros inspires more people in Suffolk to get involved in sports
It's encouraging more people in Suffolk to get into sport
Last updated 15th Jul 2022
The Women's Euros is inspiring more people to get involved in sport in Suffolk
With England hosting the tournament this year and more of the matches televised, it's thought the exposure is inspiring more people.
'We spoke to Harriet Walachowski, the women's chair at Ipswich Rugby club, who told us what it means to see women's sport receiving more attention: "I think it's amazing. I watched the last two goals last night for women last night, but I think not just for the euros it's the fact that it's on TV.
"Which means that anyone can access it, so that they can be inspired.
"Whatever age you are, you can be inspired and actually these women have put in so much work."
"I'm really glad. I'm really pleased that they're putting in so much effort to show (the women's Euros) because we want role models.
"We want positive role models for anyone. It doesn't matter what age you are and if you can see them on the TV.
"And if it is just you flick to that Channel, you can actually be like 'oh I play football, but I wanna do that, and I can.'
"Because these women are showing that they have everyday lives. They're the same as everybody else, but they're doing something that they love and so can you.
"And it doesn't matter what that is. So I think even if it's not related to sport, the sport is helping us to realize that you can get to where you want to be in your life.
"By actually seeing that they're doing what they love. I can do the same."
Because the Euros are receiving so much attention this year, which is making getting tickets difficult. Harriet however see's this as a very positive thing: "I think it's amazing. I think was it 30,000 people at the game last night and I just think it's incredible that people want to go.
"And you want that, you want them to sell out, you want it to be difficult because you want people to watch them.
" I'm just hoping ,obviously I think 30,000, it was pretty much a sell out, that, that pushes for an even a bigger stadium.
"So actually more people can go and it's still hard to get the tickets if you want like 50,000 a 100,000.
"But actually they deserve to be into that bigger stadium because of how much support they get. So hopefully they'll get a bigger stadium, so more people can go."
Ipswich women's rugby team
Ipswich women's rugby team
Harriet told us, watching the women's euros felt no different than watching the men, even the way the crowds cheered and got involved.
She also told us that she hopes this will continue to bring positive changes.
"I think overall, the exposure has been amazing.
"I just hope that in the future that certain sports are not seeing as a specific gender.
"And it can just be seen as a sport that anyone can flourishing and they can play the sport that they love.
"That's all you want people to do. You want them to do something that they love and it doesn't matter if it's a job or a sport.
"It's about encouraging them (people) and giving them the opportunities and awareness that they can do that. Just so that it's a place for everybody."