A message from your captain: Women's Euros 2025

Woman watching England play

Have you been watching the Euros?

The women’s Euros, of course. Yes, the final score matters and seeing England win 4-0 to The Netherlands on Wednesday was delightful for me, but whoever you support and whatever the score, there’s something bigger at play. 

Anytime I see women on the pitch, especially when there are thousands of people cheering them on, a lot of feelings get brought up for me. Because this isn’t just about sport—it’s about progress. The kind of progress that comes from years (decades!) of grassroots campaigns, relentless parents, brilliant coaches, and talented, hard-working athletes who refused to be sidelined.

A personal interlude: My almost football career

I loved football as a kid. Growing up, it wasn’t “a boy’s sport” to me—it was just fun. World Cup re-enactments in the garden were a family affair (though, admittedly, my brother played more than my sister). I never saw it as gendered—until school made sure I did.

At primary school, I joined a game in the playground and was told, point-blank: you can’t play—you’re a girl. That was that. The door was closed to me and never really opened. Months later, one young feminist ‘allowed’ me to play. I was on the pitch but not a single person passed to me. Ever tried playing football where the ball is a myth? Not exactly thrilling.

Some boring games later, I was passed the ball—twice. One time, I did okay. The other? A spectacular miss. And just like that, I had failed every girl who ever lived. (No pressure.)

Years later, we finally got a girls’ team. I was captain. My glory was short-lived—our coach left, the resources vanished, and so did the team.

I tell you this not out of self pity (or to relive my glory days as captain) but because it is also a well told story of anyone or any group who wants to be included. The tale of having the doors closed, of a chink in the wall, the cultural and physical barriers to inclusion, and then once you’re in, representing every person who ever vaguely looked like you. 

Fast Forward: A full Heart and a full stadium

So watching women’s football now? It hits different. My heart is full of a strange joy, pride and protectiveness. This progress didn’t just happen. It was fought for. And it’s working.

My story wasn’t that long ago. My mum definitely wasn’t exposed to football at school and my grandmother would’ve called it "unladylike." And yet, here we are—record crowds, sold-out stadiums, and little girls screaming the names of their football heroes. (And those names aren’t just “Harry” and “Cristiano” anymore.)

Football facts 

• 87,000 people filled Wembley for the Women’s Euro 2022 final.

• Women's football participation has doubled in the last decade.

• FIFA’s prize money for the 2023 Women’s World Cup was $110 million—up from $30 million (still short of the men’s $440 million, but hey, we're moving).

• Sponsors and broadcasters are finally paying attention (and paying, full stop).

• Upcoming fixtures:

  • Portugal V Belgium (Friday)

  • Italy V Spain (Friday)

  • Poland V Denmark (Saturday)

  • Sweden V Germany (Saturday) 

  • England V Wales (Sunday)