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Jul 2022

Last Updated: 07/07/2022

Education

Local Lioness leads by example in the Women's EUROs

by Tamsin O'Brien

| 07 Jul, 2022

Last night saw almost 70,000 fans pack into Old Trafford for the first England game. Harrogate's Rachel Daly has become a serious role model for younger girls hoping to make a career in the beautiful game.

Harrogate’s Rachel Daly is currently playing football to record crowds in the 2022 EUROs. It's a far cry from the early days of empty stadiums for the women's game.

Last night the Lionesses won their first game of the tournament with a 1-0 victory to Austria at Old Trafford, with a sell-out crowd of 68,871 fans. Daly played brilliantly.

Back home, Rachel’s success is having a big impact on young players who hope to follow in her footsteps

Rachel Daly

Born in Harrogate in 1991, Rachel quickly rose through the footballing ranks with the support of family, friends and coaches. Daly was a pupil at Rossett High School.

She has become a serious role model for younger players. Something she acknowledged last night on BBC Look North:

"I just think about all the young girls now in the crowd, looking up to us and seeing what they could be a part of when they are older and hopefully it inspires the whole nation to switch their focus to women's football."

Baroness Sue Campbell is the FA’s director for women’s football. The Baroness is full of praise for Daly’s perseverance.

The Stray Ferret asked her if she thought the Euros will encourage more young women and girls to consider a career as a professional footballer.

Baroness Campbell said:

‘I am optimistic that this Euro tournament will have an impact on girl's and women’s football across the whole of England.

Our ambition is to give girls an equal opportunity to play in schools and clubs across the country and this tournament will help to raise the profile of women as players, coaches and referees and inspire a generation of girls to play football.’

When asked about her thoughts on Daly, Campbell said:

‘Rachel Daly is a versatile and talented footballer. She can play equally well in attack or defence and gives 100% in every game she plays. She is hard working, fit and tenacious.

Off the pitch she is always full of energy and good humour - a delight to have in the team’

In Harrogate, Daly's former local club, the Killinghall Nomads, sent her a video message of encouragement.

https://twitter.com/WestRidingFA/status/1538852522391134209?s=20&t=-sv5MsVyTq5drv-iG4IrqQ

The Stray Ferret would like to thank Angus for writing this article. Angus has joined us for a week on work experience from St Aidan's School in Harrogate.