International Women’s Day is happening on 8th March the theme for 2024 is “Inspire Inclusion”, this seems an opportune moment to discuss the Women and Equalities Committee on Health Barriers for Girls and Women in Sport, Third Report, 2024. The report states that there “is systemic gender inequality in sports and exercise research with the sports science sector’s response to the Anterior Cruciate Ligament in the knee (ACL) issue has been disparate and slow. We do not doubt that a health issue of similar magnitude affecting elite male footballers would have received a faster, more thorough, and better-coordinated response.”

Lionesses UEFA Women’s Euros 2022 winning Captain and Arsenal defender Leah Williamson was one of between 25 to 30 players who missed the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023 due to an ACL injury. Women are between 2 and 8 times more likely to tear an ACL than their male counterparts, why? Women have greater flexibility in their hips and knees than men, low levels of oestrogen and progesterone can cause ligament laxity and women have an increased angle of the knee joint away from the body. There are few football boots designed for women’s feet, should this then not be a “call to arms” for the major boot manufacturers who need to do better for female players from all levels of the football pyramid?

In 2023, former England footballer Karen Carney MBE published an independent review into the future of domestic women’s football in England. The review made ten recommendations which included providing gold standard physical and mental health provision and uplifting duty of care provision for players.

The FA’s “Inspiring Positive Change” strategy update in 2023 saw that 83% of schools were now offering equal access for girls to play football in PE lessons in primary schools with that figure falling to 44% in secondary schools, what about the other 17% in primary and 66% in secondary schools and has any question been asked about the 17% of schools who are not offering equal access for girls, who is going to ask this question?

In the Barclays Women’s Super League (the top league in English women’s football), Arsenal are leading the way in terms of attendance, including a recording-breaking 60,160 who witnessed their 3-1 victory over Manchester United in February. Arsenal Women for the season 2023/24 will play the majority of their fixtures at the home of the men’s team, the Emirates stadium – the women’s team’s “home ground” being Borehamwood F.C, 13 miles away. Arsenal Women sit 11th in a combined Men’s Premier League and Women’s Super League attendances, having more than Nottingham Forest, Burnley and Crystal Place to name a few.

What does football need to do to make it more inclusive and welcoming for women and girls? Ensure opportunities are available whether that be recreational or competitive, understand concerns around periods – ask if they want white shorts as part of their kit listen to them, whether that is boots, kit design or facilities, and ensure the research is equitable in sport and exercise.

The NWG Networks safeguarding sports teams are happy to speak to colleagues from the sports sector. Contact Angie, Sports Engagement Lead [email protected]

Our National Child Exploitation Awareness Day #CEADay24 is on 18th March. The aim is to raise awareness of children and young people being abused through exploitation. For more information and resources please visit our website HERE

We have produced a document containing resources, key messages, videos and ideas for you to use to raise awareness. You can access this HERE or below

National Child Exploitation Awareness Day 2024 #CEADay24

CHILD EXPLOITATION IS A FORM OF ABUSE THAT INVOLVES THE MANIPULATION AND/OR COERCION OF YOUNG PEOPLE UNDER THE AGE OF 18.

Go to this Sway

For more information please visit: https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/43602/documents/216689/default/ https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/10/602 www.gov.uk/government/news/major-review-of-womens-football-published www.thefa.com/news/2023/dec/20/inspiring-positive-change-update-20232012 www.footballwebpages.co.uk/premier-league/attendances www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68467614

Angie Harper

Sports Engagement Lead

NWG Network

[email protected]

Office: 01332 585371

Mobile: 07931 464531