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Leah Williamson, the Arsenal defender and England captain, has returned to her roots in Newport Pagnell to open the Leah Williamson Pitch, a new 3G floodlit facility that is one of 15 sites to receive Lionesses Futures Fund grants. This £25 million investment from the government, plus £5 million from the Football Association, aims to provide women and girls with high-quality facilities and priority access.
Williamson reflects on the significant progress made in women’s football, recalling the challenges her mother faced when she had to cut her hair and pretend to be a boy to play the sport. “We’ve just come so far and I’m happy that I get to watch it and be part of it in that way,” she says, expressing her drive to continue playing and contributing to the team.
“Until this becomes totally normal, girls need to be shown a bit of love, TLC, when it comes to their journey in football.”
The opening of the Leah Williamson Pitch coincides with a surge in grassroots participation, with 68,000 more girls playing football since the Lionesses’ historic Euro 2022 triumph. Williamson emphasizes the importance of providing a supportive environment for girls to pursue their passion for the game.
As the new Women’s Super League season approaches, Williamson’s Arsenal will face the challenge of taking on Manchester City, led by their former teammate Vivianne Miedema. The England captain is relishing the opportunity to start the season with such a competitive match, stating, “Why not start the season that way?”
Looking ahead, England have a series of high-profile friendly matches lined up as they prepare to defend their European title at the 2024 Euros in Switzerland. Williamson is confident in the team’s preparations, saying, “We now have the exact same preparation we had before 2022, in terms of picking and choosing who we play and when we play, to get the most out of ourselves.”
The success of the Lionesses is already having a tangible impact, and Williamson recognizes the importance of legacy. She acknowledges the collaborative efforts between the Football Foundation and those in power to create the necessary infrastructure and opportunities for women’s and girls’ football to thrive.
As the sport continues to grow, Williamson remains determined to be a visible role model, demonstrating that there is a viable career path in football for women. The Lionesses’ triumph at Euro 2022 has undoubtedly paved the way for a brighter future in the world of football.
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