WOMEN’S football in Jersey is on the rise and it is hoped the Euros will provide further momentum.
The championship kicks off on Wednesday when hosts England, one of the favourites, take on Austria at Old Trafford in front of a sell-out 73,200 crowd.
It comes at an opportune time for the local game, which last season saw the return of the representative football against Guernsey and St Clement adding a side to the league for next season.
‘It was great to see the women’s Muratti back with a brilliant crowd, to see that rivalry return was superb,’ said Rozel Rovers women’s coach Tim Pryor.
‘We’ve seen St Clement put a team in this year, that’s a positive sign that more women are wanting to play at that kind of level and a real big boost to have that variety of opposition.
‘Since the Muratti we’ve had enquiries from players that previously played that want to get back into it and from women that haven’t played before that want to get involved. Four or five have contacted us that will be back in the game, that suggests more women want to get involved.’
He hopes that the Euros will spark more interest in the game, as has been seen when other major tournaments in different sports happen in England.
‘It can only help to have women’s football on the television, on the radio, on the back pages of the newspapers.’
He hoped it would show that the game was not something to be daunted by.
‘It is something to be involved in.’
It could also act as inspiration for those that want to make it to the very top of the sport. Guernsey’s Maya Le Tissier is one Channel Islander making waves at a professional level with Brighton in the Women’s Super League.
She has played for England at U23 level.
Pryor said that there were really good people working across all the five clubs in Jersey.
‘They are ready to greet new players with open arms,’ he said.
‘The more players that we can have, the stronger the game will be.’
Everyone would get game time, he said.
He expected England to do well in the Euros.
‘I think it’s quite an exciting team with a recently appointed manager in there, there’s home advantage as well and we’ve seen what that can do in the men’s Euros. I expect them to do well, but then I always expect England to do well.’
Jersey Football Association girls community coach Lucy Even said the game was growing.
When she started in her role six years ago there was only one session a week for five to 11 year olds, now three clubs were providing mini and junior football for girls.
The JFA offers other initiatives at all levels, including its player development centre.
‘It’s massively grown, which had taken a lot of work from the volunteers that have helped,’ she said.
Past experience suggested that the Euros could be a catalyst for further growth.
‘I’m excited because a lot of girls who currently maybe interested will see the excitement on TV and think that’s something they want to get involved in.’
The FA is putting funding into promoting the women’s game n the back of the tournament, including through social media.
The JFA is hosting a Come and Play Festival Euros Football Festival on Saturday 9th July at Springfield to try and gain as much interest as possible.
Even said that for a lot of females it was the social aspect that attracted them to football.
‘It’s so welcoming, open to everybody, a great way to make new friends. There are so many opportunities, for those that want to take it seriously or those that want to play for fun and enjoyment.’
She is confident England will perform really well in the Euros, which take place from 6 to 31 July.
