As a passionate supporter of women's football, I am deeply concerned about the significant discrepancy in coverage between male youth footballers and young female footballers. Despite representing professional football clubs, these young women receive significantly less exposure. This petition is aimed at addressing this imbalance by urging the Football Association (FA) to livestream the Women's Under 16s and Under 21s Plate and Cup Finals in April on their social media channels.

These finals represent a pinnacle moment in these young athletes' careers, mirroring those of their male counterparts who regularly enjoy extensive media coverage. By broadcasting these games live, thousands of football lovers will have an opportunity to witness future stars' performances on one of their career's biggest stages.

It is crucial that we champion equal representation in sports media for all genders as it not only promotes inclusivity but also inspires more girls to participate in sports. According to a study by Women’s Sport Trust, increased visibility of women’s sport can lead to higher participation rates among girls (Women’s Sport Trust).

The womens game has grown tenfold since the Lionesses won the Euros and their legacy has seen a remarkable number of girls taking up the sport and has also seen professional clubs opening up their academies to girls with facilities to match their male counterparts. The Professional Game Academies which mirror the WSL and Womens Championships clubs has seen Under 16s and Under 21s football take off and the season for both age groups culminates in these 4 prestigious Cup and Plate finals. 

Last year saw record numbers of girls clubs entering the competition which was then the FA Youth Cup for the age groups Under 16s and Under 21s but with the integration of the new Professional Game Academies the number of entrants was restricted to only those clubs with PGA Licenses from the FA. As a result of this the standard is very impressive and there will be no doubt record viewing figures should these 4 matches be streamed live on at least one of the Football Associations social media accounts. 

By signing this petition, you are supporting the call for equal exposure for our talented female youth players within professional football clubs across England. Let us ensure that they receive the recognition they deserve just as much as boys do. Please sign this petition today!