Will football coming home make any difference?
Encouraging more girls to play football in schools will be key
The research found that there was some evidence (although it was weak) to suggest that there is a demonstration effect particularly in the run up to the sporting events. This effect was must likely to be seen through existing participants either playing sport more often or switching to new sports.
It was also found that existing sports participants responded positively in behaviour to big sporting events hosted in other countries. Again this link was quite weak but it was there nonetheless.
There was no evidence in the research that major sports events encouraged new participants. There was, however, some evidence that previously lapsed participants came back to sport.
In relation to the BCM, major sporting events have more of an impact on those already engaged with sports (Planning, Action and Maintenance stages) rather than at the more attitudinal Pre-Contemplation and Contemplation stages.
Their conclusion was that big sporting events do not inherently inspire new participants to sport. Things are, however, a bit more complicated than this. Programmes for developing individual sports have resulted in increased participation over time. Some of this is explained through people switching sports but it is also the case that a sport's exposure on a global stage combined with grassroots initiatives can start to change behaviours around new participation.
The implications for women's football in England
The research suggests that if the Euro win is to have a lasting legacy then the focus has to be at grassroots level with schools having a vital part to play - a lot of participation in sport is driven by being able to play at school either during school hours or at after school clubs.
Figures from Sport England's Active Lives survey shows that 20% of school aged girls played football once a week or more either at school or outside school hours during the 2020/21 academic year. This figure is up on the previous year (which was significantly lower due to coronavirus) but down on the 2018/19 academic year (pre pandemic). By way of comparison, the 2020/21 academic year figure for boys is 46%.
Participation in football for girls reaches its peak in the final two years of primary school (years 5 & 6) as the graphic from Sport England shows.
Percentage of school age girls who play football once a week or more by school year
Once at secondary school, participation drops off sharply so that by the time they reach years 9-11, only 15% of girls play. There are a lot of reasons that contribute to the drop off including academic commitments, lack of confidence and the fear of being judged. The lack of places for girls to play is also an issue. Schools need resources to provide opportunities for girls to carry on playing as they get older. This requires investment in staff, equipment and facilities. The big question is who will fund this: The FA? The government? Schools?
It's not just investment in schools that is needed. It's also in grassroots clubs. I coached a junior football team from when they were aged 5 through to 18. Up until age 11 the team was a mixture of girls and boys. After age 11, FA rules meant that the girls could no longer play alongside boys. Most of the boys carried on playing when they went to secondary school but all the girls stopped because there was nowhere for them to go. The club I coached at was typical of most junior football clubs - it was run on a shoestring by a small number of volunteers. There wasn't the resources or personnel available to set up a girl's team.
Unless there are more grassroots football clubs for girls and young women up and down the country then this pattern will carry on repeating itself. Again, substantial investment will be required to enable girls to carry on playing football as they get older. Again, who funds this?
The next generation of players like Alessia Russo and Nikita Parris are out there. They have been inspired by the lionesses and their fabulous win. But the win on its own will not be enough to encourage girls to play football - the research discussed earlier shows this - instead a huge investment in schools and in grassroots facilities will be required.
The challenge now is to make sure that this opportunity is not squandered.
