Date: 14 July 2021 Author: Energise Me
Southampton is excited to welcome UEFA Women’s 2022 football tournament to the city next year. Tuesday 6th July marked one year until the tournament begins and the first game in Southampton will kick off on 7th July 2022. To celebrate one year to go key people who will benefit from the legacy of the event gathered at the Bargate to launch the countdown.
Southampton is excited to welcome the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 football tournament to the city next year. With the city of Southampton selected as a host city and three games being played here, this brings a great opportunity to ensure that the local area benefits from a spectacular event. There is also a great opportunity that women’s and girls’ football benefits at a local, grassroots level for years to come with a lasting legacy.
As part of the legacy, Southampton will launch clear and accessible opportunities and programs for women and girls to play football where and how they wish. It is hoped that many will progress into professional play, coaching or refereeing if they wish to.
Hosting Women's EURO 2022 matches will bring so many opportunities to the city, not only for the local economy, but the lasting legacy it will bring for women and young people to participate in sport for years to come.
Councillor Daniel Fitzhenry, Southampton City Council Leader.
Key people in Southampton that will benefit from the tournament legacy, and the opportunity it will bring for women’s and girl’s sport, gathered at The Bargate on Tuesday 6th July to launch the 365-day countdown to the event.
The significance of the medieval Bargate location is that this is the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 host city icon that will see Southampton and The Bargate promoted across the world.
As a collective, the legacy programme sets out the plans across the nine Host Cities to deliver 500,000 new football opportunities to engage women and girls by 2024. This will result in 120,000 more girls playing in schools and clubs, as well as 20,000 women playing for fun and friendship. In addition, 300 newly FA-qualified female coaches will double the number currently involved across the host cities. With 350 new FA-qualified female referees officiating to ensure increased female participation in all areas of the game.