A young girl is calling for more young women’s only football teams in Bury schools and clubs to be set up following England's Euro 2022 triumph.

Greenhill Primary School pupil Emilie Gavin, aged eight, has been pushing for more women-only football teams after noticing younger girls have to mix with boys teams in School, if they take an interest in the sport.

Since then, the youngster has been rallying friends, teachers and sponsors to help her achieve her goal of forming a young girls team.

Her appeal follows the success of England's Lionesses who won Euro 2022 last month after beating eight-time European champions Germany 2-1 following extra time in front of a record 87,192 attendance in the final at Wembley.

Her mum Melanie Gavin, who is a partner at law firm Ward Hadaway, said: “We need more grassroots football, like Westbury for young women in Bury as they are passionate about helping kids develop.

“Emilie has been asking questions about why there is not a specific young girls team in School and has spent her lunch times at school trying to piece one together.”

Emilie found she has a passion for the sport and went on to join the Westbury Wild Cats, which at the time of joining had around three or four female members for her age group. 

She joined the Westbury Wildcats which had developed six girls teams throughout the lockdown period with what Melanie called a 'great coaching programme' in place.

After her rallying call to other girls at her School, the team has had a considerable increase and a significant name change to the Westbury Lionesses.

Melanie added: "Two girls, Emilie and her friend, have been trying to push women’s football and it has made me realise that there is still such a big divide there.

“It has a social value, helps the local communities and if we don’t start doing something now with this age group then we will be in the same position in the future.

“Women’s football shouldn’t be seen as just a hobby and I think after the Women’s Euros, the tide has started to turn slightly, and we need more investment.”

After signing up with the team, Emilie turned to her mum in a bid to find a sponsor for the Lionesses new kit.

Melanie said: “That is why I asked my law firm, Ward Hadaway, to help in sponsoring the team and pay for part of their kit.

“There is a divide between womens and mens football.

"Schools should be promoting women’s football more and that why Emilie’s school Greenhill has been so good.

“When she approached the deputy head and headmaster, they didn’t dismiss her but really thought it through and listened to what she had to say.”  

Emilie and her friend also successfully approached two other Bury-based businesses for sponsorship funding.

Her Dads flooring business, CarpetsNFloors and her friends, dad’s business, MCR Gas.

The Westbury team will receive their full kit in September and will be playing their first tournament as Lionesses in Blackburn on Sunday

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