@ashleyjames: Last night England won the Euros, and I felt emotional watching it with Alf and Ada, knowing they got to witness this moment. 🥹❤️⚽️ Growing up, girls at my school didn’t have football or cricket teams even though we got to play. If any of the girls were good, they had to join the boys’ teams. Rugby wasn’t even an option for us. And I’m ashamed to say I didn’t even know about women’s sports. And I’ve supported football since I was little - going to Newcastle games with my dad from the age of 3 - but that was always men’s sport. Women were fans, not players - and even then it’s a male environment. We also grew up hearing that doing anything “like a girl” was an insult. That message taught boys that being a girl is lesser. It teaches girls to reject femininity, to internalise misogyny, and to compete with other women instead of supporting them. But the Lionesses are changing that. They’re showing our sons and daughters what running like a girl really looks like. Strong. Skilled. Unstoppable. It’s been amazing to see that women’s sport is finally getting the attention it deserves - and that women are gaining more visibility in men’s sport too through punditry and commentary. Because women have supported men’s football forever, often without seeing ourselves represented. I’m so proud of what the Lionesses have achieved - and I want to call out the racism, sexism, and ignorant backlash that always seems to follow their success. It’s wild how loudly some men show their hatred of women, even while apparently being married to one. (They clearly don’t see women as equals - just exceptions. That Madonna/Whore complex runs deep.) Thankfully, the next generation is watching. Boys and girls get to grow up seeing women thrive. That’s powerful. Congratulations to the Lionesses - and thank you for bringing it home. I can’t wait to keep seeing women’s sport grow! ❤️⚽️

Ashley James

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Region: GB

Monday 28 July 2025 18:25:08 GMT