‘Be the Inspiration’ is our call to action for fans of the beautiful game to join us on our journey of continuing the development of the women's game. Get involved by sharing your football experience - whether that's playing or supporting, we want to see your love of the game!
You can upload a photo or video, or share it on Instagram or Twitter using #BeTheInspiration. It could be of you playing football with friends, your local girls 11-a-side team, training, or coming to watch Aston Villa Women play.
This is a really exciting moment in women’s football and we want to remain at the forefront of growing the game for all.
From our “trailblazing” player pathway to researching the barriers to women’s football, we are working to continue the momentum achieved by the lionesses this summer. Join us. #BeTheInspiration
Our Findings
The Challenge
The research found that, although it was a minority of people (approximately 10%), there was a dichotomy between people saying that they were fans of football and making disparaging comments towards women’s teams and women’s football
Out of the 5 young women we spoke to in a focus group of 12-15 year old young women everyone had experienced disparaging comments and attitudes towards them playing and enjoying football.
Some of the real comments they have received included:
“Women’s football isn’t the real game” “Women belong in the kitchen”.
One female participant acknowledged their own lack of attention to the women’s game:
"It’s definitely made me realise that I definitely put all my support towards the men and maybe I should find out a bit more about the women – which is really bad. So thanks for bringing that to my attention."
Shared Experiences
38% of women who didn’t currently play football said that they would be interested in playing it for fun, exercise.
53% of women would be encouraged to play football by seeing other people play.
What does being a football supporter mean to you?
"Enjoying the best moments of your life with strangers and loved ones alike everything it means everyone coming together to support the team"
"Being part of something bigger, an identity, an escape from dullness’ being able to feel unified with other supporters where you can share a common interest and enjoy a match together"
When I am a fan of something I like it to be?
46.76% said accessible for everyone/ 42% able to engage in the activity (such as play sport)
"I wanted to play football with some of the boys. But then like the boys bullied me out of doing it. And ever since then I've never touched football. I would open social media and I would see just posts about women football, and then under the comments on it would be… women belong in the kitchen. It's just annoying to see because it's like... Girls can be anything that boys can be."
The Outlook
What football fans want is to feel connected to their team, to feel that they are appreciated and cared for, as well as to be with their football community
For women’s football to thrive and overcome barriers like unconscious bias, it needs to form a connection with the community and with existing fans, both of women’s football, football and Aston Villa. Everyone involved in the playing, supporting and promoting of women’s football need to support women to overcome the barriers they face to enjoying the game, and participating. Specifically to Aston Villa Women’s Football Club, it exists in a vibrant and young city, which is proudly built on community and connection.
#BeTheInspiration aims to highlight and tackle unconscious bias by creating a digital community. A safe space where girls can share their love of football and see others enjoying the sport. Anyone in this community can become an inspiration for others. If you can see it, you can be it. The Lionesses led the way this summer, now everyone can #BeTheInspiration.
“Because if you want women’s football to be really attractive, then you need people to get involved with it from a young age, and you need the infrastructure and resources to make it better quality."
