Leigh Leopards RLFC’s Post

Did you know there's a significant drop-off in girls playing sport when they start their period? We're working with England Rugby to tackle this - pun intended. #CareAndProtect free-issue period product dispensers play an integral part in ensuring their players have free access to the products they need, so they can focus on enjoying the sport. careprotect.uk #FreeIssue #PeriodCare #PeriodProducts #PeriodEquality #GirlsInSport #WomenInSport #RWC2025

The Euros have come to an end, and while England didn't win Euro 2024, the tournament has given us a national dopamine hit. It's great to see how national sports events like this bring us together and create a sense of community and collective happiness. The spirit of support that filled pubs, homes, and stadiums across the country is a testament to the power of sport to unite us. Research shows that national sports events have a significant impact on our collective well-being. A study from the London School of Economics found that the joy and excitement of watching our team compete create a shared experience that transcends everyday challenges. It’s about being part of something bigger, a nationwide celebration. This collective spirit is a reminder of the importance of inclusivity. The England team is a reflection of our diverse society, with players from various backgrounds coming together to achieve a common goal, this diversity is a strength. While we celebrate the sense of community that sport brings, it's important to acknowledge the challenges. As Race Equality Matters have said the previous Euros showed us that we still have a long way to go before we are truly united. “Now, in this period of positivity, it’s crucial to celebrate the successes of Black players, who too often have their achievements overshadowed by scrutiny of their shortcomings. Football serves as a powerful platform to showcase the talents of players of all backgrounds, promoting meritocracy where skill prevails over ethnicity”. So, while we may not have lifted the trophy this time, the sense of community, and the display of support and unity hopefully will linger on. #Euro2024 #Community #Happiness #UnityInDiversity #EnglandFootball

"Helping to grow female participation in our national sport is a key ambition for Sport England as we strive to ensure everyone has the same opportunities to be more active, regardless of their background, gender, income or postcode." Sport England's funding has ensured that the UEFA Women's EURO 2022 has created a lasting legacy and contributed to some hugely positive outcomes for the women’s and girls’ game at a community level. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/ecJK2HYV #SportEngland | #UnitingTheMovement

We are excited to announce that we have recently launched the Surrey Tennis Inclusivity Fund 🎾 This fund is designed to provide financial assistance for projects delivered by Surrey-registered venues and/or Surrey LTA-accredited coaches that promote diversity and inclusion in tennis and padel, while increasing participation among under-represented communities. We strive to make tennis and padel accessible, welcoming, and enjoyable for everyone. Further information about the fund’s purpose, criteria, and application form can be found on the Surrey Tennis website here: https://buff.ly/4hzKbLw. #surreytennis #inclusivity

London Football Association (London FA) has launched a new four-year strategic initiative, ‘London For All’, aimed at enhancing grassroots football across the capital. London For All is the association’s new vision and strategy for the next four years (2024-2028) and it is hoped it will “resonate and appeal” to a new generation of footballers. Mirroring the The Football Association's Grassroots Football Strategy for 2024-2028, published in October, the London FA’s new vision is based on five core elements: ⚽ Improving playing choice and experience for all ⚽ Deliver equal opportunities for women and girls ⚽ Build more and improve existing facilities (including building more 3G pitches) ⚽ Tackle poor behaviour on and off the pitch ⚽ Develop a valued network of volunteers, coaches, and referees Read more: https://lnkd.in/eTKWrtBi #Football #GrassrootsFootball #Sport #participation Mayor of London, Paul Bickerton,

On this day.... On December 5th, 1921, The FA met at its headquarters in London and announced a ban on the women’s game from being played at the professional grounds and pitches of clubs affiliated to The FA, stating “the game of football is quite unsuitable for females and ought not to be encouraged.”  The FA couldn’t stop women playing football but they could – and did – ban any FA member club allowing their ground to be used for a women’s football match. In 1921, before the ban, there were around 150 women’s football clubs. Matches were very popular events, and some fixtures saw upto 45,000 fans. In response to the ban, the English Ladies Football Association (ELFA) was formed in 1921 to promote and develop women's football outside the FA's jurisdiction. The ELFA organised matches and tournaments, providing opportunities for women to continue playing the sport. The Women's Football Association, formed in 1969, played a key role in football development for women in the UK. The WFA played a crucial role in the sport's revival, organising competitions and advocating for the lifting of the FA ban. The ban was lifted in 1971. England's Women won Euro 2022, at Wembley, in front of a crowd of 87,192. They beat Germany 2-1 after extra time. The average match attendance in the Women's Super League in England has tripled in the last three seasons. The women's game is growing at an exponential rate, bringing in supporters of all ages, and encouraging young girls to get involved in football. Long may it continue. #WomensFootball #WSL #Lionesses #FA #GrassrootsFootball #WomenInSport #MaryEarps #EllaToone #Football

Exciting news in women's soccer! 🚀⚽️ A game-changing investment from Kang is set to revolutionize the landscape of women's soccer. Here's why this matters: 📈 Scaling competitive opportunities for youth players 🔍 Expanding and improving talent identification 👩🏫 Fueling professional development for female players, coaches, and referees This initiative resonates on multiple levels: • Continued growth and investment in women's sports • Crucial support for youth programs and players Remember, it all starts at the grassroots level. Youth sports are the breeding ground for future stars, but their impact goes far beyond creating top scorers or goalkeepers. Youth sports: • Foster a sense of belonging • Teach the value of teamwork • Instill discipline • Cultivate respect Sports don't just teach games; they shape great humans. 🏆💪What's your take on this investment? How do you think it will impact the future of women's soccer? Share your thoughts below! 👇 #WomenInSports #YouthDevelopment #SoccerInvestment #LeadershipThroughSports

Racket sports were always going to be the frontrunners in women’s visibility due to their individual nature and faster path to professional recognition. Team sports, on the other hand, often require a deeper cultural shift and infrastructure to build consistent viewership, making their rise slower. However, pay disparity remains a central issue across all sports. When women are paid more fairly in certain sports, it not only attracts more talent but also raises the profile of the sport, leading to increased investment, sponsorships, and media coverage. Sports like tennis, where women have achieved closer pay parity, have seen stronger female representation and global icons like Serena Williams and Billie Jean King emerge. Money is a powerful motivator, but it’s also a statement of value. When women are compensated fairly, it signals that their contributions are respected, which helps drive even more participation and engagement. As the financial landscape improves, we can expect greater representation, deeper fan engagement, and a shift toward more equality across the sporting world.

“Equality, inclusion and diversity – both on and off the court – are at the heart of everything we do. This additional funding from the Government will support our ongoing work with women and girls in tennis – now with a focus on culturally diverse communities,” Craig Tiley, Tennis Australia CEO. The Albanese Government has provided Tennis Australia with $992,000 to deliver programs in up to 60 clubs to improve the participation and retention of approximately 1800 women and girls from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities as part of the Play Our Way program. Read more 👉https://lnkd.in/gsJcjRTn #AO25 #Open4All #DiversityEquityInclusion Anika Wells

The world of women's football is now preparing to enter a new chapter of progress after several changes are slowly being initiated. Maternity policies, world competitions between clubs, second caste European level tournaments, and various acceleration programs have also accompanied the arrival of the most glorious era for women's football. This progress not only frees itself from restraint, but is a momentum to discover the best meaning of football for women who choose to enjoy it. Presenting “Segala Ide Meretas Blokade”: https://lnkd.in/gFH77KCW.