The opportunities and challenges facing participation indifferent types of women’s football in England
A summary of the research:
The article explores the opportunities and challenges surrounding women's football participation in England. It highlights how UK sports policy recognizes the importance of increasing female participation in football to address gender inequality in sports. Despite positive efforts by football authorities, there has been little formal statistical analysis of the factors influencing participation. Using a socio-ecological framework and economic theory, the study analyzes data from over 88,000 women and 68,000 men across 309 local authorities. The findings reveal that women's football participation remains significantly lower than men's, but there is potential for growth, particularly in small-sided football. The study also examines how local authority facility provisions impact participation and identifies key demographic factors affecting engagement in the sport.
The research finds that while barriers such as gender norms, accessibility issues, and lower local participation rates hinder women's football growth, opportunities exist through targeted policy interventions. One of the key findings is that small-sided football has the highest participation rate among women, suggesting that investment in facilities catering to this format could boost engagement. Additionally, the study emphasizes the role of higher education in sustaining participation, as many women stop playing after their student years. The paper calls for a better understanding of facility availability, the inclusivity of women's football, and strategies to transition recreational players into more formal competition structures.
Key Takeaways:
Invest in Small-Sided Football – Since small-sided football is the most popular form of participation among women, policymakers and sports organizations should focus on improving access to facilities and leagues for this format to increase engagement.
Leverage Higher Education – Many women stop playing football after leaving university. Schools, universities, and local clubs should collaborate to create pathways that encourage continued participation beyond student years.
Improve Facility Accessibility – Ensuring that football facilities are designed to accommodate women’s needs, including safe and well-maintained spaces, could remove barriers to participation and encourage more consistent involvement in the sport.
Authors: Paul Downward and Cristina Muniz
You can read the entire article here.
