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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Rachael Bletchly

'Lionesses have the power to leave a lasting legacy for all girls around the country'

I was a chubby, swotty kid with glasses and I got bullied terribly at secondary school.

“Gannet” was one of the cruel nicknames I landed, along with “Thunder Thighs” and “Lard Arse”. My total lack of sporting prowess gave the bullies even more chance to taunt me.

Thursday PE lessons became absolute torture. Changing into my kit in front of them was bad enough.

But then I had to endure the ritual humiliation of hockey and netball team selection.

As the two captains picked their sides I waited, cringing, knowing I’d be final choice and blamed if we lost the match.

The team will leave a lasting legacy for all girls, Rachael says (CameraSport via Getty Images)

So I started faking notes from my Mum, “forgetting” my kit or throwing fainting fits to get excused games. But in my fourth year we got a young supply teacher for PE and she got the girls trying other sports like football and athletics. She put me in goal for our first proper soccer match and, miracle of miracles, I saved two and we won!

After that I was first pick for goalie and I started looking forward to games as footy felt like MY sport.

But after two terms the teacher left and our old PE mistress returned.

It was back to netball and hockey again and I reverted to last-resort Rachael.

My sporting spark was snuffed out and it didn’t reignite until I was in my 30s.

But on Sunday night I actually had a dream that I was back in goal on the school playing field, saving penalties. And I felt the same sense of elation I got 43 years ago when I realised I could be good at something.

It was down to the Lionesses’ stunning Euros victory and the images of ecstatic schoolgirls in football kit roaring them on up and down the country. Girls who may have struggled with their own body image or with bullying but have now discovered football is THEIR sport.

Chloe Kelly of England celebrates after scoring their team's second goal (UEFA via Getty Images)

Girls who have been inspired by the passion, pride and prowess of these marvellous role models.

Yet many of these girls are struggling to keep their sporting spark alive. Most schools still don’t have girls’ football teams while girls’ clubs have to pay to use pitches where boys can play for free.

But the heroines of Euro 2022 have the power to leave a lasting legacy. As long as the FA sticks to its goals and starts levelling the playing field for girls.

They want 75% of schools and grassroots clubs to be providing equal access by 2024, allowing 120,000 more girls to shine. But that will require government support and outside cash as well.

The game-changing Lionesses have sparked a fire in the hearts of millions of cubs. Now it’s time to fan the flames and set their sport on fire.

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