The England women’s football team, also known as the Lionesses, have made history by reaching their first ever World Cup final in Australia. Their remarkable achievement has not only inspired millions of fans, but also generated a significant financial impact for women’s sport in England.
Over £250k pledged to support grassroots initiatives
According to the Mirror Online, the Lionesses’ World Cup success has seen over £250,000 pledged to women’s sport in England by various organisations and individuals. The money will be used to fund grassroots initiatives that aim to increase participation, improve facilities and provide coaching opportunities for girls and women across the country.
Some of the donors include:
- The FA, which has announced a £100,000 investment to create 100 new girls’ football teams in partnership with the Football Foundation.
- Sport England, which has committed £50,000 to support the This Girl Can campaign, which encourages women of all ages and abilities to get active.
- Barclays, which has pledged £50,000 to the Women’s Sport Trust, a charity that promotes the visibility and impact of women’s sport.
- BT Sport, which has donated £25,000 to the Women in Sport charity, which works to transform sport for the benefit of every woman and girl in the UK.
- The Telegraph, which has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise £25,000 for the Women’s Sport Collective, a network of female sports professionals and leaders.
These donations are expected to have a positive effect on the growth and development of women’s sport in England, as well as creating more opportunities for girls and women to enjoy the physical and mental benefits of sport.
Lionesses’ popularity reaches new heights
The Lionesses have also seen their online popularity soar as they have captivated audiences with their performances at the World Cup. According to Sky News, goalkeeper Mary Earps has seen her following on TikTok jump by over 175,000 since 3 August, while striker Lauren James has gained over 100,000 new Instagram followers in the same period.
The team’s social media accounts have also been flooded with messages of support and admiration from fans, celebrities and fellow athletes. Some of the notable figures who have congratulated the Lionesses include:
- Prince William, who tweeted: “What an incredible achievement @Lionesses! You’ve made history and are inspiring millions back home. Wishing you all the best for Sunday’s final!”
- David Beckham, who posted on Instagram: “So proud of this team @Lionesses and what they have achieved so far… This is history in the making… Good luck on Sunday… Come on England”
- Emma Raducanu, who wrote on Twitter: “Huge congrats @Lionesses on reaching the World Cup final!! Amazing achievement and can’t wait to watch you bring it home on Sunday!”
The Lionesses have also received widespread media coverage and praise from various outlets and pundits. The BBC described them as “one of Britain’s greatest teams in any sport”, while The Guardian hailed their “epic journey” from decades of struggle to World Cup glory.
Lionesses prepare for historic final against Spain
The Lionesses will face Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday at the Stadium Australia in Sydney. The match will kick off at 9am BST and will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. It will be the first time that England and Spain meet in a major tournament final, and both teams will be aiming to lift their first ever World Cup trophy.
England reached the final by beating co-hosts Australia 2-1 in a thrilling semi-final, thanks to goals from Lucy Bronze and Lauren James. Spain advanced to the final by defeating defending champions USA 1-0 in a tense semi-final, with Patri Guijarro scoring the only goal.
The final is expected to be a close and exciting contest between two teams that have impressed with their style and quality throughout the tournament. England will rely on their experience, resilience and attacking flair, while Spain will look to dominate possession, create chances and exploit their speed and skill.
Both teams will also have plenty of motivation to make history and inspire generations of future players and fans. The Lionesses will hope to emulate their male counterparts who won the World Cup in 1966, while Spain will aim to follow their men’s team who won the World Cup in 2010.
The stage is set for a spectacular showdown between two of the best teams in women’s football. Who will emerge victorious and claim the ultimate prize? Tune in on Sunday to find out!
