Latest news with #Lioness-themed
Daily Mirror
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
How 'This Fan Girl' are changing what it means to be a fan of women's football
Ahead of the UEFA's Women's Semi-final between England's Lionesses and Italy on July 22, community platform This Fan Girl is redefining stereotypes of women in sports This Fan Girl is the creative community "where women power football" that promises to be "there for women in the game". Celebrating the Lionesses since 2016, and redefining what it means to be a 'fangirl', the online space is growing in numbers this Euro's. With nearly 20,000 followers, here's why the creative football consultancy should be on your radar this summer. During the Lionesses ' win against Sweden on July 17, the brand embraced the rise of the 'football core' fashion trend by hosting a watch-party that celebrated female fans of sport. The event was hosted in collaboration with TKMaxx. Attending the event, what caught my attention was the sense of community and shared enthusiasm for the sport. I was struck by how fashion had become a trendy gateway to welcome more 'fangirls' in. Who are This Fan Girl? This Fan Girl is "an online platform and community for women in football" that has been running since 2016. A spokesperson told the Mirror that: "We want women to feel fully involved in the game in all the ways they want to; working, playing and spectating". Their website states that "all women should have access to football and the benefits it brings". They plan to do this by providing access to sport culture, creativity & community. For eight years, the platform has acted as a creative studio and consultancy to nearly 20,000 Instagram followers. By curating fun and bold campaigns to bring women in sport, This Fan Girl has transformed a once marginalised community of fans - by coming together. Founder Amy Drucquer states her mission to as battling the sexist representation of female football fans in the media. Their website claiming the Google ranking of "female football fan" at the time of their formation "only scratched the surface of this rapidly growing fan culture". For more stories like this subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Weekly Gulp, for a curated roundup of trending stories, poignant interviews, and viral lifestyle picks from The Mirror's Audience U35 team delivered straight to your inbox. In the time since, This Fan Girl has made a significant stand for the progression of modern football culture. They have taken ownership of the term "fangirl" that validates women for their interest in sport by providing connection and acceptance. They are particularly focused on game-day fashion, football-core outfits, and even Lioness-themed nails. Their partnership with TK Maxx explored how fans can show up to support England's Women's team in affordable style, agreeing that the global fashion trend was an inclusive spectrum of feminine and androgynous looks. Unfortunately for women in sport, the UEFA's Women's Euros are in the midst of tackling the layered sexism and racism towards its players. In light of the racial abuse targeting player Jess Carter, The Fan Girl reposted a statement by Sarina Wiegman on Instagram. This said: "We stand with Jess and all Lioness players past and present who have suffered racism". "No one should have to endure such vile abuse, be that in football or any walk of life. Representing our country is the greatest honour. It is not right that while we are doing that some of us are treated differently simply because of the colour of our skin. "Until now, we have chosen to take the knee before matches. It is clear we and football need to find another way to tackle racism," adding that the team "have agreed as a squad to remain standing before kick off on Tuesday". The statement concluded: "We hope the game can come together to see what more can be done," before demanding that "those behind this online poison must be held accountable".
Daily Mirror
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Roar like a Lioness! England share inspiring words as they defend Euros title
A trio of Lionesses hope their personal mantras will inspire the public in their everyday lives as the England team looks to bring football back home once again in Euro 2025 England football fans are ready to roar for the Lionesses as they defend their UEFA Euro title this summer in Switzerland. But the team are not just about serving up goal after goal - they're also about delivering powerful mantras that fuel the squad's spirit when it counts the most. Want to talk like a Lioness? Then here's how you can learn the lingo... Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton personal mantra 'full send' is the unapologetic rallying cry which pushes her to the limit when the pressure is on. Striker Alessia Russo 's 'cool, calm, collected' is the straightforward reminder that everything is under control. While defender Lucy Parker's quietly powerful 'you've got this' helps her stay calm during even the toughest moments. To help spread the Lionesses' words of wisdom, official England partner Extra has brought the players' words to key locations in their hometowns ahead of the tournament on the continent. In Hampton's old stomping ground of Studley, Warwickshire you can step into the Full Send Salon and get a Lioness-themed gel polish that can survive even the most nail-biting moments of the tournament. As a reminder to take a moment for yourself, there are 100 free treatments available when you book with Studley's Synergy Hair & Beauty using the code FULLSEND25. Parker's 'you've got this' covers the streets of her hometown, Cambridge, including St John's, Trinity and Pembroke Colleges, supporting students as they hit their next deadline or brave a late-night revision sprint. Finally, Russo's 'cool, calm, collected' now adorns a local bus in Maidstone, offering a moment of grounded clarity to weary commuters navigating busy commutes. It's the ultimate pre-9am pep talk, serving a crisp, no-fuss reminder that even small shifts in mindset can go a long way. Lucy Sherlock, Senior Brand Manager at Extra says: 'The Lionesses know better than most how to reset when they need to rise to the occasion. We hope that by bringing their mantras back to where it all began, we can inspire everyone, fans and the public alike, to find their own Lioness Lingo for those everyday moments where the right words make all the difference.' The Lionesses' lingo will be on public display from July 1 to 31, celebrating the team's journey through the tournament and encouraging moments of everyday calm. Can the team go on and win the tournament yet again though? England need to adapt to being the hunted rather than the hunters after their transformation under Sarina Wiegman, according to former Lionesses goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis. Wiegman's team go their Euro 2025 opener against France on Saturday as one of the pre-tournament favourites. The manager famously took England all the way in 2022, winning the Euros on home soil. One year later at the World Cup only the might of Spain prevented them from adding another major trophy to their cabinet. "I think there's been a period of time where England have been the hunters, during my era, to have switched that to being the hunted," BBC commentator Brown-Finnis told Mirror Football. "Based on rankings, based on tournament predictions, England - probably bar Spain - go into it as favourites."
