UK Women's Football Transforms with £6bn Grassroots Investment, Increased Participation

Women’s football continues to grow rapidly, with pioneers like Morag ‘Maggie’ Pearce receiving overdue recognition for their contributions, including receiving England caps decades after their careers. Pearce, who won five FA Cups and played alongside her sister, reflects on how football has been a family affair and values the newfound attention for early women players. Meanwhile, South Korean star Ji So-yun, the country’s all-time top scorer and most capped player, emphasizes the need for younger players to develop skills and leadership as the national team undergoes a transition. In the UK, Fara Williams, England’s most capped player with 172 appearances, praises grassroots initiatives such as the National Lottery-funded Big Football Days, which aim to increase female participation and celebrate the legacy of the Lionesses’ Euro 2022 win. These events provide opportunities for girls of all ages to engage with football, highlighting the dramatic evolution and increased accessibility of the women’s game compared to previous generations. Collectively, these stories illustrate a growing respect for women’s football history and a strong focus on nurturing future talent worldwide.