Celebrating the women's soccer team's triumphant victory parade today, the country is making amends for a 51-year ban on female football players and turning a new page in history.
In the heart of England's team basecamp, sports broadcaster Katie Agyemang noticed an unexpected duo—a barista and his loyal dog, adding a touch of normalcy to the bustling atmosphere. This quiet moment of observation serves as a stark contrast to the historic event that has just unfolded—the England women's national football team's triumphant victory in the UEFA Women's Euros.
The road to this momentous occasion was not an easy one. The ban on women's football, imposed by the Football Association (FA) in 1921, cast a long shadow over the growth of the women's game in England. The FA, citing that football was "quite unsuitable for females and ought not to be encouraged," enforced this ban following a period of rising popularity, as exemplified by a 1920 match at Goodison Park that drew 53,000 spectators. The ban, which lasted for about 50 years, was lifted in 1971, following the efforts of the Women's Football Association (WFA), and was formally rescinded by the FA in 1972.
This ban and its eventual lifting had a profound impact on the development of women's football in England, delaying its institutional support by decades despite early popularity. Fast forward to 2025, and the Women's Euros tournament has broken records as the highest-attended ever, with over 600,000 fans in the stands. The final match, which was also the most-watched televised event of 2025, saw the England team triumph over Spain, marking a significant milestone in the history of women's football in England.
The government declared the match as 'exceptional national significance', and a jubilant victory parade for the team took place in London today. The current Lionesses' journey to the historic win has been challenging, with moments of adversity like the France game. Despite these obstacles, the team's spirit remained unbroken, and their camaraderie was palpable in the dressing room after the match. The post-match party in the dressing room included singing and dancing to songs like Freed From Desire, Vindaloo, and Sweet Caroline.
Katie Agyemang, who has been covering the Women's Euros, has been reminded of the sexism and misogyny faced by former England players. She believes that this tournament's coverage has begun to reflect the quality of play on the pitch, and calls for equal interview standards for male and female players. Her colleague, sports broadcaster and former England hockey player Katie Shanahan, covered the tournament for ITV.
The England v Italy match was the most-watched ITV broadcast of 2025 so far, demonstrating the growing interest and support for women's football. Pubs stayed open late on Sunday in the UK to celebrate the win, and Michelle Agyemang, who was a ball girl less than four years ago, is now helping the team in a major tournament final.
However, the victory was not without its darker moments. Defender Jess Carter faced racial abuse during the tournament, which was condemned by manager Sarina Wiegman. Despite this, the team's resilience shone through, and they emerged victorious.
As the dust settles on the historic win, the England women's national football team stands as a beacon of inspiration for women's football around the world. Their journey serves as a reminder of the challenges faced and overcome, and their victory is a testament to the power of teamwork, determination, and the unyielding spirit of sport.
References:
[1] The Guardian. (2021). The forgotten story of women's football in England. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/nov/15/the-forgotten-story-of-womens-football-in-england
[2] BBC Sport. (2021). Women's football: The FA apologises for 50-year ban. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59350874
[3] The Telegraph. (2021). The women's football ban: How the FA's 50-year prohibition hurt the game. [online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2021/11/15/womens-football-bans-50-year-prohibition-hurt-game/
- The victory in the UEFA Women's Euros marks a significant milestone in the history of women's football in England, signifying the importance of nutrition, wellness, and home environment, as evidenced by the team's camaraderie and post-match celebrations.
- Katie Agyemang, an advocate for equal interview standards in sports, believes that the coverage of the Women's Euros has highlighted the quality of play, much like the importance of health and wellness to athletes both on and off the field.
- In the midst of the jubilant victory parade in London, It is crucial to remember the darker moments, such as the racial abuse experienced by defender Jess Carter, and strive for a society where sports, including football, promote health, beauty, and wellness for all, regardless of race.
