Sport England warn of threat to girls’ football if grassroots organisations

Sport England are calling on grassroots organisations to give both sexes equal opportunities to play competitive sport when it returns later this month.

Under the Government’s lockdown roadmap, youth sport will be permitted in outdoor settings from March 29, but Sportsmail has learned that girls will be unable to play competitive matches in some areas of the country.

The Surrey Youth League are planning to extend boys’ football leagues until the end of May to cope with the fixture backlog caused by lockdown, whereas the girls’ leagues have been curtailed and youngsters will only be offered friendly matches.

Sport England want grassroots organisations to offer equal opportunities both sexes

This disparity reflects previous unequal treatment at the top end of the sport, with the Women’s Super League Academy League suspended at the start of January, while the men’s competition continued.

The FA are aware of the issue, but insist that scheduling is a matter for individual leagues after they gave permission for the season to be extended into June. 

While the disparity at elite level was due to the cost of providing Covid-secure environments and testing — a big issue for the women’s game given a lack of resources — Sport England have made it clear that preferential treatment for boys at recreational level is unacceptable.

‘It is vital that boys and girls are given fair and equal access to sport and physical activity,’ a spokesperson told Sportsmail. ‘We would strongly encourage all those restarting in the weeks ahead to ensure that everyone benefits, no matter their age or gender.’