The Government’s recent acceptance of all recommendations for women’s football led by Karen Carney MBE has received positive feedback in Bristol among parents and grassroots teams.
Bristol dad and grassroots football photographer Richard Lindsay believed this type of investment will make positive change for future generations.
“I’ve got a daughter myself and the only reason she plays football is because of how well the ladies did it at the World Cup and how we got swept up, and seeing my daughter take an interest in sports has come from her exposure to watching ladies’ football.”
The new recommendations are proposing that women’s sport gets a full broadcast slot within the 15:00 Saturday blackout. Previously, the 3PM blackout meant no matches can be televised from 14:25 to 17:25. This rule came into practice in the 1960s because it was thought to negatively impact attendance figures.
Women’s football getting a full broadcast slot between these hours means viewing figures could potentially significantly increase commercial revenue for women’s games.
Rich believes contributing to low level football such as grassroots teams is a “tremendous positive thing.”
In July 2023, Karen Carney MBE put forward recommendations named #RaisingTheBar to the government to improve the quality of women’s football professionally and on a grassroots level.
Here are the major recommendations:
- World leading standards for players, fans, staff and everyone in women’s games.
- Addressing the lack of diversity across women’s games – in on and off-pitch roles.
- Equal access to school sports for girls.
- More investment in grassroots and better access for females.
The recent acceptance of the football recommendations made from Karen Carney MBE will mean more exposure to women’s football and grassroots teams due to more investment and access in schools.
“If you don’t see that side of things as a young girl you don’t have that same kind of drive and aspiration to make a career out of it”.
Becca Todd, the founder of Brave Team, a local grassroots team in Bristol says supporting grassroots teams are important in many ways.
“It gives people the chance to play and enjoy sport. As well as develop a community and to reap all the benefits that sport can offer without any pressure and nor high performance situation.”
However, Becca explains that small grassroots teams and local women teams need more funding and sponsorships to keep the rates free for everybody to play.
While the government has accepted the #RaiseTheBar recommendations, Becca says there is still many things that can be done to support women’s football.
“Greater chances to play greater facilities so people have a better place to play more sessions as well for girls to get into football at a young age.”
“We are also really hoping to push sessions for people from different minority racial groups or from different backgrounds that maybe previously haven’t got access.”
Thangam Debbonaire, Labour MP for Bristol and Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport is glad to hear the Government’s acceptance of the recommendations.
Debbonaire tweeted on X:
“Thank you, Karen Carney for your tireless work on this. I agree they must be acted on with urgency.”
I welcome the Government’s acceptance of these important recommendations.
— Thangam Debbonaire (@ThangamMP) December 5, 2023
Thank you, Karen Carney for your tireless work on this. I agree they must be acted on with urgency.
I stand ready to work with Govt and all stakeholders to get these implemented as soon as possible ⚽️ https://t.co/7lnbOcIZzt
