Brighton & Hove Albion’s run to the Women’s FA Cup final will have inspired generations of girls across the city, according to our council leader.
The Albion played Manchester City in front of 43,917 fans at Wembley Stadium last weekend.
It was the first time the Seagulls had reached the final of the Women’s FA Cup and thousands of supporters travelled to the game from Brighton & Hove to cheer them on in what is widely considered to be the showpiece event in the domestic women’s football calendar.
Among them was Councillor Bella Sankey who is convinced that, despite the result, the efforts of the Albion players throughout the cup run will have inspired girls across the city.
Councillor Sankey has been a vocal champion of our Sport Lifts Her Higher campaign, which aims to establish Brighton & Hove as the UK capital of female participation in sport.
Central to that campaign is celebrating the success of elite female athletes and leading local clubs like Brighton & Hove Albion – using top-level women’s sport as a way of sparking interest in girls who then go on to take up a new sport and get active.
Research shows that, although girls across the UK are missing out physical activity equivalent to 52 football matches a year compared to boys, more than half of girls say watching professional athletes inspires them to play.
Councillor Sankey said: “I want to put on record my thanks and admiration for everyone involved in Brighton & Hove Albion’s women’s team. Being at Wembley among thousands of Albion fans, celebrating the team’s achievements and seeing the Albion’s women’s team competing on such a big stage was an amazing experience.
“Whether at Wembley, or cheering them on while watching at home, I have absolutely no doubt seeing the Albion in the FA Cup final will have had a lasting impact on so many young girls.”
Councillor Sankey added: “We know football is increasingly popular and that participation has rocketed locally since we hosted the Women’s EUROS. Seeing the Albion performing so well – not just during their cup run, but throughout the season in the Women’s Super League - sustains that momentum.
“Someone in the stands last weekend will have been the next Maisie Symonds, the next Fran Kirby or the next Manuela Vanegas. The impact the current squad – and the fantastic commitment to women’s sport being shown by the entire club – cannot be overestimated.”
Councillor Sankey was also full of praise for the Brighton & Hove Albion Foundation – the football club’s official charity, which works across Sussex using football to transform lives.
The foundation works with dozens of local schools, runs free, weekly girls-only Premier League Kicks football sessions across the city and regularly holds free taster sessions aimed at encouraging more girls to play football.
In total, the charity has delivered more than 70,000 hours of girls’ football in just 12 months. The number of girls who play in the charity’s disability football sessions has also increased by 14%.
In Brighton & Hove, more than 500 girls now regularly attend its sessions.
Councillor Sankey added: “The work the foundation does is amazing and just illustrates how committed everyone at Brighton & Hove Albion is to helping everyone access and enjoy the widespread benefits of being active and playing sport.
“We’re determined to realise the ambition of our Sport Lifts Her Higher campaign and firmly establish Brighton & Hove as the UK capital of women and girls in sport.
“The Albion may not have won the cup, but they should not underestimate the lasting impact their efforts will have on girls in Brighton & Hove.”
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