The Football Association has announced its intention to bid to host the 2021 UEFA European Women’s Championship.
The FA shares UEFA’s ambitions to grow the women’s game and, following the success of this summer’s UEFA European Women’s Championship in the Netherlands, will officially enter into the bidding process later this year.
In March this year The FA launched its ‘Gameplan for Growth’, with the aim to double participation and create a sustainable and successful high-performance system for women and girls football.
The FA’s strategy to grow women’s football in England outlined a key ambition to stage a major international women’s tournament in this country. Hosting a national event that culminates in a showpiece final at Wembley Stadium would give the 2021 UEFA Women’s European Championship the perfect platform. It would also help support UEFA’s ‘We Play Strong’ campaign by meeting their own ambitious plans for more women and girls to play football across Europe.
The 2017 European Women’s Championship was UEFA’s biggest ever female tournament and the Semi Final between England and the Netherlands generated a peak audience of 4 million viewers in the UK on Channel 4.
Martin Glenn, FA Chief Executive Officer, said: “The Lionesses’ performances at the Euros this summer gave the country great pride. It also showed the significant impact that hosting a major European tournament can have on growing and developing women’s football. The KNVB and UEFA really raised the bar, hosting a fantastic tournament, and we hope and believe we could meet those standards.
“UEFA share our ambitions to grow the women’s game and we believe that together we can host a tournament that would celebrate women’s football as well as inspiring the next generation and creating lasting opportunities For All.”
Baroness Sue Campbell, FA Head of Women’s Football, said: “I’ve seen first-hand the positive impact these tournaments can have in raising the profile and popularity of the women’s game at all levels. This is another wonderful opportunity to maintain the momentum around women’s football and the feel good factor generated by the Lionesses in the Netherlands. I’m right behind the bid.”
Hosting a major football tournament requires strong partnership across a range of Central and Local Authorities and this bid would form a key element of the UK Government’s support for major events.
Sports Minister Tracey Crouch said: “The Lionesses had a great campaign in the Netherlands and made the country proud. The support the team received was phenomenal and the success of the tournament has taken women’s football to new heights.
“Hosting the next European Championships would provide us with a great opportunity to further grow the game and attract the next generation of players and fans. I look forward to working with the FA as they develop the feasibility of their bid.”
To see more about the ‘Gameplan for Growth’, please visit: The FA website
Report courtesy of The FA
