English professional footballer Leah Williamson has opened a football pitch at Newport Pagnell Town FC close to her Milton Keynes hometown as a part of the Lionesses’ Future Fund Grants.
Celebrating the Lionesses’ success whilst supporting the next generation of women and girls in the sport, the Future Fund Grants is a 30 million Euro fund for grassroots women’s football in England. Leah Williamson teamed up with the Football Foundation to create a top-quality facility for young girls in the area to play while financing the pitch through the fund.
As the Football Foundation plans to open a pitch for each of the 23 Lionesses that won the Euros back in 2022.
Ella Toone of Manchester United and Lauren Hemp of Manchester City have all opened football pitches in their hometowns through the fund.
Inspiring young girls and women to start playing for local clubs and grassroots teams, the Lionesses’ recent success has had an influential impact on England’s football. The women’s game still does not get the support it needs to thrive, especially at the grassroots level though there is an interest.
With the Lionesses, the Football Foundation is aiming to change the poor facilities women’s teams are always given to train. Williamson’s new pitch is just one of many to come, providing a safe, suitable space for girls and women to play the sport they love.
