UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 Legacy – how it will make its mark in Sussex

We all remember the pictures of families with young children enjoying top quality football during the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022.

The smiles and the fun everyone had and then the absolute elation when the Lionesses won the cup.

But there is more. With Brighton and Hove being one of the host cities, the Sussex County FA is determined to make sure the legacy of the tournament lives on.

In particular, it hopes to inspire women and girls to engage in a healthy lifestyle through football – bringing about physical and significant mental health benefits too.

Sadie Mason MBE, Chief Executive of Active Sussex, said:

“Women and girls can face more barriers to being active. Active Sussex is supporting the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 legacy programme to encourage more women and girls to develop the confidence to be active in their own way.”

With this in mind the Sussex County FA has pledged the following:

• Increase the percentage of schools engaging in Girls’ Football School Partnerships across Sussex.
• Increase the number of women and girls aged 15+ playing affiliated football and retain those already engaged in the game.
• Create a sustainable and diverse workforce of female leaders, coaches, volunteers and referees from secondary schools, colleges and universities.

All leading to:

• 90 per cent of primary and secondary school girls accessing girls’ football within – and beyond – the curriculum in Sussex through Girls’ Football School Partnerships by 2024.
• 2,000 women and girls aged 15+ playing affiliated football.
• Double the number of FA-qualified female coaches and referees to take the game forward across Sussex.

You can find out more about Sussex County FA’s plans and their focus areas here.