Beth Mead Expands Girls’ Access to Football Across England

Growing opportunities for girls to play football across England have become a defining feature of the women's game's expansion, with England international Beth Mead helping introduce children to the sport through grassroots sessions. The Manchester City forward, who won the UEFA Women's European Championship with England in 2022 and 2025, is supporting programs designed to make football more accessible to children ages five to 11.

Mead has participated in McDonald's Fun Football sessions, where qualified coaches help children develop confidence, encourage inclusion and enjoy the game. According to figures cited by the Football Association, girls' attendance at these sessions has increased by 60% since 2022.

“I've loved every minute,” Mead told the Press Association.

She described the sessions as an opportunity to create positive experiences for children and reflected on the limited opportunities available when she was young.

“I've loved being a part of something special and being able to create memories for a lot of different children.

“For myself, growing up, I would have loved nothing more than to be able to have access to something like this.”

Mead is part of England's squad for Women's World Cup qualifying matches against Greece on October 9 and 13. Her involvement in grassroots football comes as the national team builds on the impact of its recent European championship victories.

“We've had a 60% increase in girls attending Fun Football sessions since 2022 – 60% is quite staggering, really. But being able to give the girls access to come and play is something we're very proud of.”

Mead began playing football at age six after her mother, June, took her to a Saturday morning session in Hinderwell, near Whitby in North Yorkshire. She recalled having “a lot of energy” as a child and joining a group in which every other player was a boy.

“There were quite a few hurdles to be jumped,” she recalled.

She contrasted those early experiences with today's organized opportunities for young female players.

“Looking at the Fun Football programme, there was nothing like that for me. I went to a football session in my local village, and it was all boys except me. At the time, I felt lucky that I was able to be accepted and join in, and was quite good at football.

“I was the only girl, but I think I was the roughest out of all of them – well, that's what the coach said to me anyway. But I enjoyed that part of my journey – it helped me develop. I learned different ways, and I wouldn't change that.”

As a young player, Mead faced ridicule from opposing players' parents and boys, but said her enthusiasm for football kept her focused on playing. She described how acceptance within her own team and respect earned on the field helped her continue.

“I'd get laughed at by parents and the boys on the opposite team,” she said.

“But I was a kid and I just loved playing football, so I didn't really care about what anybody else thought.

“I had respect from my own football team, and they all knew what I was about. And by the end of every game that I played, I got the respect I deserved. But I guess I had to prove myself to get that respect.”

Mead later joined Middlesbrough's center of excellence, although the facility was an hour from her home. She credited her family with helping her travel to training and making her football development possible.

“I managed to get my route into football, but that was an hour away from where I lived, and it wasn't easily accessible. I guess I was very lucky that I had the support of my mum and dad and family members to be able to get me there, and back.”

Her professional career included spells at Sunderland and nine years at Arsenal before she joined Manchester City in the summer of 2026. She described settling in with her new teammates as an easy transition and said she had “lovely” teammates.

“I've hopefully let my football do the talking.”

Mead welcomed the wider range of opportunities now available to girls, including access to teams suited to different ability levels and pathways such as the Girls' Emerging Talent Centres.

“It's very refreshing to see that young girls have got a lot more access to different abilities of teams close to where they're from – it's nice to know that.

“But at the same time, I can't complain about my journey.”

She said the women's game was “getting better and better,” crediting supporters, participation from an early age, access to pitches and teams, and clearer development routes. However, she also acknowledged that greater participation has increased competition among young players.

“But at the same time, it's becoming difficult because more girls are getting access to it, and it's becoming more competitive,” she said.

Football Association women's football director Sue Day said England's success in European competition had encouraged more women and girls to participate. By the end of 2025, the FA had achieved its goal of giving girls equal access to football through physical education at Key Stages 2 and 3 in 90% of schools, three years ahead of schedule.

The initiative provided 2.6 million girls with equal access to football during PE lessons, an increase of 31% from the 2020-21 season, according to the FA.

“With record levels of participation in schools and clubs, there is so much to be proud of – but no room for complacency. We must use this momentum to drive the game forward, it's up to all of us to keep building on the legacy of the Lionesses, ensuring the game continues to thrive for generations to come,” Day said.