Each jersey will display the player’s name in the BSL fingerspelling alphabet in a bid to celebrate British Sign Language and act as a visual reminder of how football can be made more accessible to all fans. It comes as data reveals that while an estimated 1.2 million adults in the UK have hearing loss severe enough to impede most conversational speech, there are approximately only 150,000 BSL signers (87,000 of whom are deaf).

Football fans will be able to get their hands on a player-worn British Sign Language shirt via EE’s Instagram channel while EE will also raise money for the Royal Association for Deaf People through an auction of these unique ‘Signed Shirts.’

The FA will also be inviting players and staff from the England women’s deaf football team to attend the Sweden fixture in the Royal Box and be presented to fans at half-time in recognition of their third place finish at the 2023 World Deaf Championships in Brazil.

The warm-up shirts form part of ‘Support. It’s In Your Hands’, a campaign launched by EE, the lead partner of the Home Nations Football Associations, last month to keep the BSL users in the deaf community involved in the football conversation by encouraging the use of sign language in both deaf and non-deaf communities.

The campaign launched with a hero film that showcased the ways BSL is incorporated in football, as well as a host of content on EE’s LearnSmart platform that features footballing stars from the four Home Nations including Mary Earps, Jess Carter, Rachel Corsie, Bukayo Saka, Ella Toone and Harry Kane, teaching football-themed BSL phrases. ‘Support. It’s In Your Hands’ was created with support from the Royal Association for Deaf people (RAD) and the Home Nations Football Associations.

British Sign Language was officially recognised as a language of England, Wales and Scotland in 2002, and it was recently announced that it will be offered as a GCSE subject from 2025. However, with the number of people with hearing loss projected to increase in coming years (an estimated 14.2 million people in the UK will experience hearing loss by 2035), EE aims to ensure no one feels left out of the football conversation by leveraging its lead partnership of the four Home Nations Football Associations to encourage football fans, young and old, to learn some BSL and sign their support.

England star, Lucy Bronze, said: “As footballers, it is important to use our platform to spread messages of inclusivity wherever possible. I, together with the rest of the team, will be proud to wear these shirts ahead of our game against Sweden at Wembley. Anything that can be done to help the deaf community feel more welcome in football is an important step.”

Pete Jeavons, Marketing Communications Director, EE said: “By promoting British Sign Language during a high-profile competitive game between two of the best sides in the world, we hope to encourage both deaf and non-deaf communities to embrace this essential form of communication. As the lead partner of the Home Nations Football Associations, we are committed to making football accessible for everyone. We hope football fans will use this opportunity to not only support the Lionesses but to also learn more about BSL, so we can help everyone feel a part of the football conversation”.

‘Support. It’s In Your Hands’ will see EE activate across a range of touchpoints, including:

• Harnessing FA partner channels to distribute content to promote the use of and learning of BSL. The highlight of these being the ‘EE BSL challenge’ which sees three male England players take on three Lionesses in an obstacle course that requires them to complete sign-based challenges with the help of four England Deaf squad players.
• Assembling a squad of five content creators to spread the message of inclusivity far and wide: the squad will consist of Shiona McClafferty, Jazzy Whipps, India Morse, Leon Walker Dobson and Ray Bradshaw, who will produce engaging content that helps teach the basics of BSL through the football lens.
• Facilitating training for its colleagues in Deaf Awareness courses which include some BSL basics. By encouraging greater Deaf Awareness internally, EE will also contribute to further Deaf Awareness and British Sign Language learning across BT Group, alongside an accessibility audit for consumer facing webpages.

The campaign is part of EE’s ongoing and longstanding commitment to supporting the para & disability community in football and beyond. Last season, this came to life through ‘New Signing’, a campaign which saw the world’s first BSL pundits presenting televised sport. This is just the start for EE, with many more activations planned for the coming year that reinforce EE’s commitment to supporting the Deaf community and people with hearing loss.

For more information on how to learn BSL and sign your support, visit eelearnsmart.co.uk.

With thanks to the FA via Pitch

In a new 90 second video released today [Thursday 20 July 2023] Leah Williamson and Jill Scott join forces to deliver the stirring message as they encourage the country to once again get behind the England team.

Surrounded by a backdrop of flags, shirts and memorabilia, Williamson references the team’s early group stage kick-off times, asserting that ‘there’s no better way to start the day’ than with ‘football for breakfast’, before urging fans to ‘wave those flags like never before, wear the Three Lions with pride, and support England every step of the way’.

Sarina Wiegman, England’s Head Coach, has thanked fans and said: “Whether you are cheering us on at home or making the long trip out, I know we will feel your wonderful support in Australia.

“Having the fans behind us every time we play is important and we never take it for granted. In return, I can promise we will do everything to make you proud on and off the pitch.”

England’s first game of the tournament is against Group D opponents Haiti on Saturday 22 July. They also face Denmark (28 July, Sydney) and China PR (1 August, Adelaide).

All 64 matches in this summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup will be broadcast live on terrestrial TV in the UK on BBC and ITV.

With thanks to the FA

Hot off the heels of the England Women’s recent tournament win and with the men’s squad gearing up for the winter World Cup, football has never been more exciting in this country. So as part of M&S Food’s Eat Well partnership with the English Football Association it’s launching a GAME CHANGING competition for youth football teams to win a training masterclass with England players.

Know a child who fancies their chances of becoming a future Lioness? Or a local grassroots or school football team that needs a bit of help with their freekick set pieces? Then help them be in with a chance to win this fantastic prize by picking up delicious and nutritious Eat Well products in M&S Foodhalls across the nation.

Every product that has the Eat Well health seal of approval is an entry into the competition, all people have to do when paying is ensure that their SPARKS card is scanned to go into the draw.

Don’t have a SPARKS app? Getting registered is simple:

1. Sign up to SPARKS on the M&S app
2. Register for the competition by nominating a preferred local school or football club
3. Earn an entry every time an EAT WELL product is bought and scanned on a SPARKS card

England legend, father and grandfather, Ian Wright says: “M&S Food have outdone themselves with this competition – what an opportunity for young footballers to train with their heroes! It’s a genuine money can’t buy experience. It’s really easy to enter, for every Eat Well product you buy, this equals one entry to the competition. So, the healthier you eat the more chance you have to win! Plus, you have the chance to win loads of other great prizes including great tasting Eat Well products across a wide range of items.”

The competition is open from August 1 to September 27 across all stores. As well as the training there are thousands of other prizes up for grabs including match tickets, kits, equipment, signed merchandise and Eat Well products.

What is Eat Well, Play Well? 

M&S Food has partnered with the England, Scotland, CYMRU and the Northern Ireland National Football Teams, to use the power of football and the influence of some of the UK’s biggest footballing heroes to help families make healthier choices under the campaign banner ‘Eat Well, Play Well’.

Through the M&S Eat Well health seal of approval and its partnership with the FAs, M&S Food aims to make families healthier for the next generation.  It links the eating habits of much-loved footballing heroes to how they play, promoting positive healthy eating messages for kids in a way that’s engaging, relatable and drives change.

With thanks to MatchFit

Not only did England win the tournament but Beth Mead won the Player of the Tournament and the Gold Boot – an amazing achievement.

So many people have enjoyed this tournament, the way in which the teams have conducted themselves and the way the Lionesses play, the passion and the sheer enjoyment.

People who have never watched football before have told me how much they have enjoyed watching England play and how it has brought joy at such a difficult time. Others have said they now prefer watching the women play.  I have always believed that the women’s game just needed the visibility and showing the tournament on terrestrial TV has certainly done that.

I started this website because I was frustrated at the lack of coverage of women’s sport and the way in which it was treated as an afterthought, with sportswomen putting up with inferior facilities and being expected to be grateful for the crumbs that fell from the table of the men’s game.

I never thought I would see Wembley Way packed full of supporters on their way to the final of the Women’s EUROs.  This tournament has given women’s sport a huge boost into the consciousness of the public and the Lionesses into the hearts of all the fans.

Hopefully it has also vanquished at least some of the dinosaurs who have, throughout the tournament, poured scorn on the women’s game and insisted that ‘no-one cares about women’s sport’.

The viewing figures speak for themselves and England’s women have won England’s first major trophy since the men lifted the World Cup in 1966.  It is worth saying that the crowd yesterday was the biggest for any final of the EUROs ever.

However, it is a sad fact that England has been world-beating in its online abuse of our own team as a UEFA study shows that the Lionesses have received in excess of 10,000 abusive/sexist social media posts.

UEFA analysed 171,954 Twitter comments, 12,296 were considered to be abusive and 10,447 were directed at the England team.  France were second in line with just 507 abusive messages.  What does that say about the culture in our country?

Before the tournament EE launched a Hope United campaign to tackle online sexist hate and television ads ran throughout the tournament.

English footballer Lauren James implored abusers to consider how they would feel if it was their sister, daughter, girlfriend that was being targeted with this abuse and just think about how their actions impact players.  Lauren herself has sadly suffered from sexist and racist abuse – it is not acceptable for any player to receive any abuse at all.

But now the momentum is with the women’s game and let us hope that this will bring a change in attitude.

For now we can enjoy the impact of the tournament and appreciate this team.  For the longer term we can look forward to the World Cup and the excitement and anticipation it will bring.

I hope little girls all across the Europe will be inspired and encouraged to play – that will be a wonderful legacy.

Lead photo shows Chloe Kelly playing for England at U17 – her passion is still there!

The Squad

Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Manchester United), Hannah Hampton (Aston Villa), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City)

Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Manchester City), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Rachel Daly (Houston Dash), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Demi Stokes (Manchester City), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal)

Midfielders: Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal), Jill Scott (Aston Villa, loan from Manchester City), Georgia Stanway (Manchester City), Keira Walsh (Manchester City), Katie Zelem (Manchester United)

Forwards: Bethany England (Chelsea) Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Nikita Parris (Arsenal), Alessia Russo (Manchester United), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Ellen White (Manchester City)

With thanks to the FA

Head Coach Phil Neville said: “This is a significant moment in our World Cup campaign and I want to congratulate all of the players in our squad. I must also thank those who just missed out for all of their efforts. We would not be in this position without them, they have played a big part in our World Cup journey and I know they will be our biggest supporters this summer.

“Picking a squad is never easy but I believe in this group and I know they will be ready to help us perform at our very best at the finals. We know what we are capable of achieving and are determined to do all we can to be successful. We keep saying it but the hard work starts now and we are going to give it everything we have to make the nation proud.”

Lionesses fans got their first look at the squad earlier in the day, as the selected players were individually revealed by a group of 23 high-profile supporters – led by FA president HRH The Duke of Cambridge announcing captain Steph Houghton – with a combined social media following of more than 170 million.

At the finals in France, which run from 7 June to 7 July 2019, eleven England players will be taking part in their maiden senior World Cup – Mary Earps, Millie Bright, Abbie McManus, Leah Williamson, Demi Stokes, Rachel Daly, Lucy Staniforth, Georgia Stanway, Keira Walsh, Nikita Parris and Beth Mead.

Meanwhile, Karen Carney and Jill Scott will be making their fourth World Cup appearances after representing England in China [2007] and Germany [2011]. The duo, along with ten members selected this time out, were also part of the squad to secure a bronze medal in Canada in 2015.

In France, England have been drawn against Scotland, Argentina and Japan. They begin with a mouth-watering match against the Scots in Nice [9 June] before taking on Argentina in Le Havre [14 June] and returning to Nice to face Japan [19 June].

There’s still time to cheer on the Lionesses before they depart for the tournament on 4 June. Denmark visit Walsall’s Banks’s Stadium on Saturday 25 May before Neville’s outfit complete the Road to France Series with a send-off game against New Zealand at Brighton and Hove Albion’s American Express Community Stadium.

For tickets, go to TheFA.com/LionessesTickets. You can also cheer on the Lionesses in France. Find out more via TheFA.com/JoinLSC.

Courtesy of the FA

The link up with the UK’s largest pharmacy-led health and beauty retailer, will run for the period including the upcoming 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France through to the 2021 UEFA Women’s EURO in England.  The partnership will focus on telling the stories of some of the inspirational role models represented in women’s football to inspire active participation from young girls and women.

During one of the most exciting periods for the women’s game, the partnership marks a unique partnership for women’s football across England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Research carried out by The FA found that 1.7m girls and women aged five and over partake in football every month and women’s football has never been more popular.

Awareness and participation in women’s football has a powerful impact on the confidence of girls and women, with 80% of female footballers saying they feel more confident as a result of playing for their team.

The FA’s recently appointed chief executive and current chief commercial and football development officer, Mark Bullingham, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Boots as the Official Partner of the England women’s team in what is a hugely exciting time for women’s football.

“It’s important that we partner with brands that share our passion for raising the profile of the sport and the ability to help us do so.

“I look forward to seeing us work together to make The Lionesses household names and inspiring the next generation of girls to take up the game.”

Boots UK’s marketing director, Helen Normoyle, said: “It’s so exciting to see how women’s football has evolved over the last few years.

“Boots has always had a strong heritage of supporting women.  In fact, we even founded our very own women’s sports team as early as 1894.

“Through our new partnership with The FA, we are excited to give these inspirational women the chance to tell their stories, to help encourage other women to experience the transformative confidence sport can bring.

“Boots believes everyone has a right to feel good. Because of that, we’re huge supporters of women’s football, and the incredible impact it can have on improving health and confidence. That’s why we want to be part of elevating the women’s game and are proud to be supporting the five national women’s teams across Britain and Ireland for the next three years.”

Courtesy of The FA

The Chelsea forward met up with the squad on Sunday, but following assessment, it was decided she return to her club, taking a long-term approach to her injury management with a view to the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in June.

Meanwhile, Manchester City’s Gemma Bonner has been called up and will join the group for training at St. George’s Park this morning as the Lionesses prepare for their ‘Road to France Series’ double header against Canada [Friday 5 April] and Spain [Tuesday 9 April].

Courtesy of the FA

All available tickets have now been sold but please note seats will be released if/when they become available.

The match will be shown live on BBC 4.

There’s still time to purchase tickets for the 2019 SheBelieves Cup winners’ three other upcoming fixtures.

After Canada, an emerging Spain side head to Swindon on Tuesday 9 April [kick-off 7pm] while UEFA EURO 2017 runners-up Denmark travel to Walsall on Saturday 25 May [kick-off 1pm] and New Zealand – another World Cup-bound opponent – will ensure a tricky finale in Brighton a week later [Saturday 1 June, kick-off 1pm].

Tickets for those games are on sale, priced at only £1 for concessions and £10 for adults.

Courtesy of The FA

The new Nike kits, both home and away, will be donned by the squad as they prepare to mount their campaign at the finals in France this summer.

Fran Kirby wearing the new away kit.

Fresh from victory in the SheBelieves Cup, Phil Neville’s side will first sport the home version in their meeting with Canada at Manchester City’s Academy Stadium on Friday 5 April and throughout their ‘Road to France Series’ fixtures.

The Lionesses’ new kits have been designed by Nike with unity in mind, tying the team to the country at large.  A fresh take on the traditional white kit, the 2019 England Women’s home look is accented by dark red cuffs.  The socks debut a custom hand-drawn print for the Lionesses, highlighting specific flora native to the counties and regions of England which combine together to represent the entire country.

Though used sparingly on the home kit, this pattern forms the basis — covering both shirt and socks — for a brilliant new articulation of England’s classic red away strip.  Rendered in a dark red crush, a unique darker shade exclusively for the women’s team, the kit incorporates the St. George’s Cross on the shirt and a tonal crest unique to the Lionesses.

Baroness Sue Campbell, The FA’s director of women’s football, believes the introduction of the new kits demonstrates how far the women’s game has come on the world stage.

She said: “It’s the first time our women’s team have had their own unique and exclusive kits which is a real marker of progress and an indicator of how much the profile of the women’s game has grown in this country.

“We are all looking forward to the World Cup and I know the players can’t wait to wear the new kits.”

Forward Fran Kirby said: “It is great to see kits designed specifically with us in mind. The home kit seems really classic while the pattern of the away is exciting and new.”

Looking ahead to the tournament, captain Steph Houghton added: “We have gone close a couple of times now and the response has been amazing.  It feels like there is genuine momentum behind the team, bigger and bigger with each major tournament we play, and another successful summer can really help push women’s football to the next level.”

Courtesy of the FA