Football: BBC Sports Personality of the Year Winner!
Mary Earps, Manchester United and England goalkeeper, has won the 70th edition of the annual and popular BBC Sports Personality of the Year Competition.
Again, in winning, she has brought women’s football into the limelight.
Earps, who is 30 years old, has said that she wants to change the world and “inspire as many people as possible.”
And added:
“I want people to relate to me and my journey, see that I’m just a normal person trying to live out her dream.”
Earps also won the ‘golden glove’ award for the best goalkeeper in the FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament, which was held in the Summer of this year, when the England women’s team (‘the Lionesses’) reached the final.
Women’s football in England is being actively promoted by the English Football Association (FA). One of the targets of the FA, namely ensuring that 75% of schools deliver equal access to football in PE (Physical Education) lessons, has been achieved a year ahead of time.
Also, since October 2021, there has been a 12% increase in affiliated females playing football; an 18% increase in female youth players; and a 39% increase in the total number of female youth teams, aged between 5 and 18.
Gains have also been achieved in the number of female referees and coaches.
Furthermore, the average attendance at Women’s Super League matches in England has surpassed the target of 6,000 and has now reached 7,457.
Women’s football certainly has a very bright future!
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
