Leah Williamson opens pitch named after her as part of £30m Lionesses funding

Lionesses captain, Leah Williamson, officially opened a new community football pitch named after her at Newport Pagnell Town FC.

The Leah Williamson Pitch is one of 14 sites across the country to have been awarded a Lionesses Futures Fund grant – a £30m investment announced last year to recognise the trailblazing success of the Lionesses.

Grants from the fund will help to provide women and girls across the country with “gold standard” facilities and experiences, with priority access for women and girls through reserved peak-time slots and welcoming changing rooms.

Since the Lionesses – the England women’s football team – lifted the EURO trophy in 2022, 68,000 more girls are playing football compared to before the tournament.

However, too often, badly lit pitches, unsuitable changing facilities and late-night kick-off times put women and girls off taking to the pitch.

Leah Williamson said: “It is such an honour to be here to see one of the first Lionesses Futures Fund pitches come to life. Something I know the squad is incredibly proud of. This pitch will provide the very best playing experience for local women and girls, ensuring they can play at decent times and on a state-of-the-art pitch.”

Robert Sullivan, CEO of the Football Foundation, added: “It’s a real pleasure to unveil one of the first 3G pitches that a Lionesses Futures Fund Grant has made possible. For the pitch to be named after local footballing legend Leah Williamson in recognition of the Lionesses recent successes will be incredibly inspiring for the players here at Newport Pagnell Town.

“This Fund builds on the Football Foundation’s biggest ever commitment to providing equal access to grassroots facilities for women and girls.

“Over 8,500 women’s and girls’ football teams were playing at sites that have benefitted from Football Foundation funding last season, whether that be for new goalposts, improved grass pitches or brand-new changing pavilions and 3G pitches.