An Oldham MP has backed calls for schools to do more to encourage equality for girls in sport following England’s Lionesses Euro 2022 victory.

The MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, Debbie Abrahams, said: “The Lionesses' historic win is a watershed moment for women and girls’ football, and we should take advantage of this wave of enthusiasm to push for more access to all sports for women and girls.”

While football is the most popular team sport for young people in England, only a third of girls aged five to 18 participate each week, according to research by the Football Association (FA).

Just 63 per cent of schools in England offer equal football coaching to boys and girls, the FA found.

Mary Earps, the England goalkeeper, said there was “no doubt” that football “absolutely should be on the curriculum”.

“I think if you could ask the squad what they would want, it’s access to football in school for young girls… I really would like to see more girls at school being able to play,” she told BBC Breakfast. 

Fellow squad member Chloe Kelly, whose goal celebration became an iconic moment of the tournament, said she was “really excited” about the future of the game.

“This could really be a turning point for women and women in sport and as a group of girls we would love to see that change,” she told the programme.

“We set out to inspire the next generation, we set out to inspire the nation.”