Latest news with #BigFootballDay
Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Jill Scott picks out England 'difference maker' as Lionesses eye Euro 2025 glory
INTERVIEW: England legend Jill Scott has lavished Sarina Wiegman's Lionesses in praise as they seek to book their place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2025 with victory over Wales on Sunday Lauren James has the class to make the difference for England this summer - but Leah Williamson and Hannah Hampton are also worth their weight in gold to Sarina Wiegman. That's the verdict of Lionesses legend Jill Scott as the Three Lions bid to book their place in the quarter-finals of the European Championships with victory against Wales on Sunday. Chelsea star James dazzled in the 4-0 demolition of the Netherlands, netting twice, and Scott is adamant the 23-year-old possesses the class to fire England to glory in Switzerland. She said: "Lauren has been brilliant. She's one of those players like Kelly Smith and Fran Kirby that can make something out of nothing. "As soon as she got half a yard on Wednesday, I was up off my seat because I knew it was flying in. Her technical ability is one of the best I've ever seen in the women's game. "She's grown so much since working under Emma Hayes at Chelsea, she can be the difference but in this team, the girls do their job roles to help her flourish." Scott, who was on set at Coronation Street yesterday for the FA's Big Football Day powered by The National Lottery, was not surprised to see England goalkeeper Hampton's stunning distribution on display against Holland. The 38-year-old also had huge praise for Lionesses captain Williamson as the Arsenal defender continues to showcase her quality. Scott continued: "Hannah's pass the other day reminded me of when I went on loan to Aston Villa. "At the time, I was totally in awe of her passing, it was the best I'd ever seen from a goalkeeper. "She almost has a sat nav on her foot, I was talking about it before the game and then to see that pass, wow! "We have to give her massive credit because she's come into the tournament with the weight of being England's No.1 which is the most pressurised position on the pitch, but she's taken it in her stride. "Leah is a massive player for both club and country, she has the ability to play in virtually any position on the pitch. "She always leads by example with her performances and it reflects throughout the team." Scott remains confident the defending champions can retain the trophy, adding: "Wales have done really well to qualify for their first tournament. "Their fans have also been superb but everyone expects England to win and I believe they can make the final. "You can't overlook Spain, they play amazing football but we've got results against them in the past. They wouldn't scare me but I think they deserve respect. "This is also one of the best French teams I've seen too, they would be the two nations I'd highlight but on their day, I think England can beat both of them." Scott, who won an incredible 161 caps for the Three Lions, spoke of her pride following her involvement in The National Lottery's Big Football Day. She concluded: "I don't think people realise that the National Lottery has invested £6billion into grassroots sport, something girl's football has benefited immensely from. "I'm a massive soap fan and to come down to Coronation Street, one of the most-iconic streets in the country, was something I had to come back from Switzerland for. "The growth of the women's game is really difficult to put into words, we've now built a fanbase that will be with the Lionesses through thick and thin."
South Wales Argus
5 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Williams: Women's football unrecognisable from my childhood
Lionesses' legend Fara Williams believes grassroots football and the women's game in the UK is unrecognisable from when she started her career with Chelsea more than 20 years ago. The most capped England player of all time, who made 172 appearances for the Lionesses, began playing football on her local estate before being scouted by Fulham. Williams was speaking at one of the first Big Football Days powered by The National Lottery, a free FA initiative to introduce as many women as possible and girls to football while the Women's Euros are taking place. Thanks for National Lottery players £6bn has been invested into grassroots sport over the last 30 years – changing the game for women's and girls' football. The event is to celebrate EURO 2025 this summer and to increase female participation, with clubs being asked to open their doors to host a Big Football Day during the month of July. The day will bring the community together and people can pop down to their local clubs to get involved in female taster sessions for all ages, match screenings, fun football festivities and more. 'I would have loved to have had this opportunity, to be amongst young girls as well and have an experience like this,' the former Everton and Reading player said. 'There was nothing like this for me at this age, there is an under six girls team playing, so to think they are starting that young and to think that the Lionesses have created that legacy from winning the Euros in 2022, it is massive. 'These opportunities I would have loved and without the funding of the National Lottery, they do not get these opportunities. 'Football, I keep saying it, is becoming a more expensive sport to participate in now so having the funding behind them and the opportunities is fantastic.' Battersea-born Williams was speaking in Newham, only a few miles from where her own football journey began. The Big Football Day saw a festival atmosphere with small-sided games the central focus but hair braiding, temporary tattoos and a DJ were also on offer. The day began at AFC Leyton – one of the UK's biggest and most successful independent women's football clubs. AFC Leyton has built everything from scratch, becoming a shining example of grassroots success and a proven talent pipeline, with players progressing to the likes of West Ham, Chelsea, Spurs and London City Lionesses. The afternoon continued at Central Park in Newham for a festival-style Big Football Day event, hosted by The FA and supported by The National Lottery. The fun spirit was something that particularly appealed to Williams who has fond memories of playing against boys in the football cage on her estate. She added 'It is about finding your place and it is important they get the opportunity at various levels. 'So many parents want their kids to be the next Russo or Leah Williamson or whoever it might be. 'For some of these girls it might just be about something fun to do, a safe space for them and a place to make new friends. 'For me it is really important that they have an opportunity to do what they want to do and not be pushed to do something maybe parents want them to do.' The FA's National Development Manager for Women's and Girls' Pathways, Alice Kemspki said; 'Big Football Day is one of our key activations across the women's and girls' game to try and use the major tournament and harness the moment to drive participation locally and in the grassroots game. 'We have 200 plus clubs across the country opening their door to women and girls' doing a Big Football Day powered by the National Lottery in their own areas.' The FA's Big Football Day, powered by The National Lottery, will run throughout the Euros events to encourage more women & girls to get into football. Thanks to over £6 billion invested into grassroots sport by National Lottery players, the game is growing stronger from the ground up. For more info visit: //
South Wales Argus
5 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Parris impressed by growth of women's football as Euros begins
ENGLAND international Nikita Parris continues to be impressed by the growth of women's football and now the striker is predicting further explosion following the exposure and excitement of the UEFA European Women's Championships. The Brighton & Hove Albion striker attended the Big Football Day this weekend in London – a grassroots football celebration delivered across England by The FA and supported by The National Lottery. The National Lottery have invested £6 billion into grassroots sport over the last 30 years – changing the game for women's and girls' football. The event is to celebrate EURO 2025 this summer and to increase female participation, with clubs being asked to open their doors to host a Big Football Day during the month of July. The day will bring the community together and people can pop down to their local clubs to get involved in female taster sessions for all ages, match screenings, fun football festivities and more. It is vastly different from Parris' introduction to the game that saw her form her own girls' team as opportunities did not exist at the time. 'There weren't many opportunities like this, and I started my own girls' team for Kingsley United when I could no longer play with the boys,' the 31-year-old said. 'At that time when you were 11-plus, you could not play with boys, so I had to create my own with family, friends and whoever walked past the park with a dog, parent, I took them in. 'It is so nice to see so many girls' teams playing here. 'It is so different, it is lovely to see so many young people playing and they are all girls' teams. When I was younger it was mixed or lads I played with. 'It is so nice that there are initiatives happening all round the country and young girls playing, one of these could be a Euros star in the future.' Parris missed out on selection for England's Euros squad having been a part of the triumphant team in 2022. And while she said there would always be mixed emotions for the Liverpool native, Parris is hoping they keep a hold of the trophy. The 2022 victory saw the number of women and girls participating in football skyrocket, with the numbers more than doubling. The day began at AFC Leyton – one of the UK's biggest and most successful independent women's football clubs. AFC Leyton has built everything from scratch, becoming a shining example of grassroots success and a proven talent pipeline, with players progressing to the likes of West Ham, Chelsea, Spurs and London City Lionesses. The afternoon continued at Central Park in Newham for a festival-style Big Football Day event, hosted by The FA and supported by The National Lottery. Over 100 girls took part in a mix of taster sessions, recreational football, walking football and community fun – culminating in a live screening of England's match at 8pm, surrounded by DJs, activations, food, and more. And Parris hopes the same excitement, explosion of interest and growth will happen again for women's football in the UK, no matter the result for the Lionesses. She added: 'To continue the legacy of growing women's football, women's sport across the country and across the world. 'We want the game to continue to grow at all different levels. We want parity in the game, that ultimately comes from time, resources, and support.' Big Football Day is a grassroots football celebration delivered across England by The FA and supported by The National Lottery. Whether you're playing for fun, for fitness or for friendship, football is a place where girls can grow in confidence, feel part of a team and realise they're Made for This Game. With the continued support of The National Lottery, The FA is working to ensure football is truly for all, with over £6 billion invested in grassroots sport across the UK over 30+ years – changing the game for women and girls' football/ And the FA's National Development Manager for Women's and Girls' Pathways, Alice Kemspki said; 'Big Football Day is one of our key activations across the women's and girls' game to try and use the major tournament and harness the moment to drive participation locally and in the grassroots game. 'We have 200 plus clubs across the country opening their door to women and girls' doing a Big Football Day powered by the National Lottery in their own areas.' The FA's Big Football Day, powered by The National Lottery, will run throughout the Euros events to encourage more women & girls to get into football. Thanks to over £6 billion invested into grassroots sport by National Lottery players, the game is growing stronger from the ground up. For more info visit: //
North Wales Live
6 days ago
- Sport
- North Wales Live
England Lioness Nikita Parris impressed by growth of women's football as Women's Euros gathers pace
ENGLAND international Nikita Parris continues to be impressed by the growth of women's football and now the striker is predicting further explosion following the exposure and excitement of the UEFA European Women's Championships. The Brighton & Hove Albion striker attended the Big Football Day this weekend in London – a grassroots football celebration delivered across England by The FA and supported by The National Lottery. The National Lottery have invested £6 billion into grassroots sport over the last 30 years – changing the game for women's and girls' football. The event is to celebrate EURO 2025 this summer and to increase female participation, with clubs being asked to open their doors to host a Big Football Day during the month of July. The day will bring the community together and people can pop down to their local clubs to get involved in female taster sessions for all ages, match screenings, fun football festivities and more. It is vastly different from Parris' introduction to the game that saw her form her own girls' team as opportunities did not exist at the time. 'There weren't many opportunities like this, and I started my own girls' team for Kingsley United when I could no longer play with the boys,' the 31-year-old said. 'At that time when you were 11-plus, you could not play with boys, so I had to create my own with family, friends and whoever walked past the park with a dog, parent, I took them in. 'It is so nice to see so many girls' teams playing here. It is so different, it is lovely to see so many young people playing and they are all girls' teams. When I was younger it was mixed or lads I played with. 'It is so nice that there are initiatives happening all round the country and young girls playing, one of these could be a Euros star in the future.' Parris missed out on selection for England's Euros squad having been a part of the triumphant team in 2022. And while she said there would always be mixed emotions for the Liverpool native, Parris is hoping they keep a hold of the trophy. The 2022 victory saw the number of women and girls participating in football skyrocket, with the numbers more than doubling. The day began at AFC Leyton – one of the UK's biggest and most successful independent women's football clubs. AFC Leyton has built everything from scratch, becoming a shining example of grassroots success and a proven talent pipeline, with players progressing to the likes of West Ham, Chelsea, Spurs and London City Lionesses. The afternoon continued at Central Park in Newham for a festival-style Big Football Day event, hosted by The FA and supported by The National Lottery. Over 100 girls took part in a mix of taster sessions, recreational football, walking football and community fun – culminating in a live screening of England's match at 8pm, surrounded by DJs, activations, food, and more. And Parris hopes the same excitement, explosion of interest and growth will happen again for women's football in the UK, no matter the result for the Lionesses. She added: 'To continue the legacy of growing women's football, women's sport across the country and across the world. We want the game to continue to grow at all different levels. We want parity in the game, that ultimately comes from time, resources, and support.' Big Football Day is a grassroots football celebration delivered across England by The FA and supported by The National Lottery. Whether you're playing for fun, for fitness or for friendship, football is a place where girls can grow in confidence, feel part of a team and realise they're Made for This Game. With the continued support of The National Lottery, The FA is working to ensure football is truly for all, with over £6 billion invested in grassroots sport across the UK over 30+ years – changing the game for women and girls' football. And the FA's National Development Manager for Women's and Girls' Pathways, Alice Kemspki said; 'Big Football Day is one of our key activations across the women's and girls' game to try and use the major tournament and harness the moment to drive participation locally and in the grassroots game. 'We have 200 plus clubs across the country opening their door to women and girls' doing a Big Football Day powered by the National Lottery in their own areas.'
Wales Online
6 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
England Lioness Nikita Parris impressed by growth of women's football as Women's Euros gathers pace
England Lioness Nikita Parris impressed by growth of women's football as Women's Euros gathers pace Parris attend one of the first Big Football Day Powered by the National Lottery that saw over 100 women and girls take part in football activations in Newham. Parris was joined by fellow Lioness Fara Williams at Central Park in Newham (Image: 2025 Getty Images ) ENGLAND international Nikita Parris continues to be impressed by the growth of women's football and now the striker is predicting further explosion following the exposure and excitement of the UEFA European Women's Championships. The Brighton & Hove Albion striker attended the Big Football Day this weekend in London – a grassroots football celebration delivered across England by The FA and supported by The National Lottery. The National Lottery have invested £6 billion into grassroots sport over the last 30 years – changing the game for women's and girls' football. The event is to celebrate EURO 2025 this summer and to increase female participation, with clubs being asked to open their doors to host a Big Football Day during the month of July. The day will bring the community together and people can pop down to their local clubs to get involved in female taster sessions for all ages, match screenings, fun football festivities and more. It is vastly different from Parris' introduction to the game that saw her form her own girls' team as opportunities did not exist at the time. 'There weren't many opportunities like this, and I started my own girls' team for Kingsley United when I could no longer play with the boys,' the 31-year-old said. 'At that time when you were 11-plus, you could not play with boys, so I had to create my own with family, friends and whoever walked past the park with a dog, parent, I took them in. 'It is so nice to see so many girls' teams playing here. It is so different, it is lovely to see so many young people playing and they are all girls' teams. When I was younger it was mixed or lads I played with. Nikita Parris missed out on the Euros squad having been part of the team that triumphed in 2022. (Image: 2025 Getty Images ) Article continues below 'It is so nice that there are initiatives happening all round the country and young girls playing, one of these could be a Euros star in the future.' Parris missed out on selection for England's Euros squad having been a part of the triumphant team in 2022. And while she said there would always be mixed emotions for the Liverpool native, Parris is hoping they keep a hold of the trophy. The 2022 victory saw the number of women and girls participating in football skyrocket, with the numbers more than doubling. The day began at AFC Leyton – one of the UK's biggest and most successful independent women's football clubs. AFC Leyton has built everything from scratch, becoming a shining example of grassroots success and a proven talent pipeline, with players progressing to the likes of West Ham, Chelsea, Spurs and London City Lionesses. The afternoon continued at Central Park in Newham for a festival-style Big Football Day event, hosted by The FA and supported by The National Lottery. Over 100 girls took part in a mix of taster sessions, recreational football, walking football and community fun – culminating in a live screening of England's match at 8pm, surrounded by DJs, activations, food, and more. And Parris hopes the same excitement, explosion of interest and growth will happen again for women's football in the UK, no matter the result for the Lionesses. She added: 'To continue the legacy of growing women's football, women's sport across the country and across the world. We want the game to continue to grow at all different levels. We want parity in the game, that ultimately comes from time, resources, and support.' Big Football Day is a grassroots football celebration delivered across England by The FA and supported by The National Lottery. Whether you're playing for fun, for fitness or for friendship, football is a place where girls can grow in confidence, feel part of a team and realise they're Made for This Game. With the continued support of The National Lottery, The FA is working to ensure football is truly for all, with over £6 billion invested in grassroots sport across the UK over 30+ years – changing the game for women and girls' football. And the FA's National Development Manager for Women's and Girls' Pathways, Alice Kemspki said; 'Big Football Day is one of our key activations across the women's and girls' game to try and use the major tournament and harness the moment to drive participation locally and in the grassroots game. 'We have 200 plus clubs across the country opening their door to women and girls' doing a Big Football Day powered by the National Lottery in their own areas.' Article continues below The FA's Big Football Day, powered by The National Lottery, will run throughout the Euros events to encourage more women & girls to get into football. Thanks to over £6 billion invested into grassroots sport by National Lottery players, the game is growing stronger from the ground up. For more info visit: //
