Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to support women's football in (a) Kent and (b) England.

The government’s sport strategy “Sporting Future” highlighted the importance of focusing on groups that are less likely to take part in sport and physical activity, including women and girls.

Sport England, government’s arm’s length body for community sport, funds the Football Association (FA) to encourage participation in the women’s game, both in developing talented women and girls as well as supporting participation at the grassroots. For 2017-2021 Sport England awarded The FA £14.6m. This investment includes funding for programmes like ‘Grow the Game’ aimed at supporting new women’s and disability teams.

The FA has partnered with Sport England’s “This Girl Can” campaign, to encourage more women and girls to get involved with the sport across the country. In Kent, Sport England funding has helped Kent FA start the Player Development Centre which has seen many girls receive extra coaching opportunities.

Government supports the FA’s bid to host the UEFA Women’s Euro 2021 finals in England which will hopefully inspire the next generation of young female players.