School shake-up will see girls play football to inspire future Lionesses

GIRLS will all get the chance to play football at school under Rishi Sunak’s drive to breed the next generation of Lionesses.

New government standards will tell teachers to offer female pupils the same sports as boys.

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A curriculum shake-up will also encourage schools to increase PE lessons to a minimum two hours each week.

The Saints-supporting PM said: “Last year the Lionesses’ victory changed the game.

“Young girls know when they take to the pitch that football is for them and, thanks to the Lionesses, they too could be a part of the next generation to bring it home for their country.”

England women’s captain Leah Williamson added: “The success of the summer has inspired so many young girls to pursue their passion for football.

“We see it as our responsibility to open the doors for them to do so and this announcement makes that possible. This is the legacy that we want to live much longer than us as a team.”

It follows the Let Girls Play joint campaign by the Lionesses and the FA following their Euros 22 triumph.

Schools will be told that where it is wanted they must offer girls the same activities as boys – also including rugby and cricket – in lessons and after-school clubs.

Ministers also want teachers to ring fence at least two hours a week for sports, although they cannot dictate how much of the curriculum it takes up.

But Education Secretary Gillian Keegan insists it would be “great for both physical and mental health” as well as teamwork.

A £600million pot of previously announced money will be used to help heads lay on sports over the next two years.

A further £57million funding will be used for schools to keep their pitches open after lessons for pupils to use