Levelling the playing field: Pompey ITC's programme for young girls celebrate the Lionesses win and share what it means for them

The sessions, which are part of Pompey in the Community’s girls and women’s football development programme, have become increasingly popular over the past few years because of the increased level of inclusivity within the sport.

Pompey in the Community (ITC) is the charitable arm of Portsmouth Football Club which promotes equal access to opportunities and runs girls’ development teams, running from under-11s to under-16s, offering high level coaching sessions twice a week, with games played on a Saturday.

The programme is now braced to receive a surge of even more interest in the game from girls in the area after England's Lionesses beat Germany 2-1 at the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 final at Wembley a fortnight ago.

Their victory has led to scrutiny of female inclusivity in the sport, with fresh calls for further development of women’s football and increased participation for girls at grassroots.

In an open letter to to Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss the Lionesses urged the government to ensure all girls have access to football in schools.

The letter, signed by every member of the England squad, read: ‘We want every young girl in the nation to be able to play football at school.

‘Currently only 63 per cent of girls can play football in PE lessons. The reality is we are inspiring young girls to play football, only for many to end up going to school and not being able to play.’

The development programme, which has been running for five years, has 64 girls in the junior programme and approximately 70 girls in the after-school scheme, with interest expected to soar following the monumental win.

Attending a training session at Cowplain School, near Waterlooville, the girls had plenty to say about the stunning victory.

Elsie Gordon, 11, from Waterlooville, joined her first local team as an under-six and is just about to start her fourth season at the development programme.