How the Lionesses have inspired growth in Women’s Football

Dorset Non-League teams are reaping the benefits of the recent success of the Lionesses, ahead of this year’s Women’s Euros.

The 2025 first-round Euros playoffs take place later this month, with hopes they will raise even more awareness for the women’s game.

Farnham Town Women’s defender Lily Varney said: “England winning the Euros had a massive impact nationally and kickstarted a drastic increase in viewership and participation.”

“Young girls now want to play football as well as watch it, which is great.”

With viewership and awareness of the women’s game at an all-time high, Farnham Town Women’s team are enjoying the rewards.

“We now have over 200 supporters every home game which is just so surreal to play under,” said Varney.

Since the Lionesses Euro 2022 triumph, there have been almost 1500 new registered female football teams, with there now being twice as many in England as there were seven years ago.

Grassroots clubs are also starting to secure sponsorship: Farnham Town have recently signed partnerships with Gym Shark and Dominos, which have provided funding to enter a Women’s team into the 2024/25 campaign.

They now compete in the National League System and the Women’s FA Cup.

Farnham Town Women sit in second place in the Surrey Premier Division, with their next game away to Beecholme Belles on the weekend.