FA to bid for 2021 Women's European Championship
Wednesday 9 August 2017 14:06, UK
The FA has announced that they intend to bid for the right to host the 2021 Women's European Championship.
The news follows an exciting 2017 edition of the event, in which the England Lionesses reached the semi-finals, before losing to the Netherlands, who hosted the tournament and went on to win the final.
FA chief executive officer Martin Glenn said: "The Lionesses' performances at the Euros this summer gave the country great pride.
"It also showed the significant impact that hosting a major European tournament can have on growing and developing women's football.
"The KNVB and UEFA really raised the bar, hosting a fantastic tournament, and we hope and believe we could meet those standards.
"UEFA share our ambitions to grow the women's game and we believe that together we can host a tournament that would celebrate women's football as well as inspiring the next generation and creating lasting opportunities for all."
An FA statement added: "In March this year, the FA launched its 'Gameplan for Growth', with the aim to double participation and create a sustainable and successful high-performance system for women and girls football.
"The FA's strategy to grow women's football in England outlined a key ambition to stage a major international women's tournament in this country.
"Hosting a national event that culminates in a showpiece final at Wembley Stadium would give the 2021 UEFA Women's European Championship the perfect platform."
The Government has pledged its support for the FA's intended bid and will also take a keen interest in the project.
Sports Minister Tracey Crouch said: "The Lionesses had a great campaign in the Netherlands and made the country proud.
"The support the team received was phenomenal and the success of the tournament has taken women's football to new heights.
"Hosting the next European Championships would provide us with a great opportunity to further grow the game and attract the next generation of players and fans. I look forward to working with the FA as they develop the feasibility of their bid."
