Lioness launches football scholarship for girls

Lucy Bronze (right) was part of the England Lioness squad that won the 2022 Euros

The England Lioness Lucy Bronze has launched a football scholarship for young girls.

Bronze, who plays for Chelsea, has accumulated 126 caps for England's Women and was part of the squad that won the Euros in 2022.

The Lucy Bronze Scholarship Award will fund a boarding place for an aspiring young footballer at a top independent school worth over £70,000.

Launching the scholarship at the Beechwood School in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, she said: "An opportunity is something I didn't have when I was younger, there wasn't even enough girls to play football with. Nowadays, things are changing and girls have so many more opportunities."

Bronze (right, leading the celebrations) has 126 caps for the Lionesses and scored in the Euro semi-final win over Sweden

Bronze scored in the semi-final win over Sweden in the 2022 Euros, and the Lionesses' tournament win saw a huge increase in the number of girls wanting to play football.

She said: "I'm living my dream - in fact more than my dream.

"I wanted to play football when I was younger and wanted to score a goal or lift a trophy - I wouldn't have changed anything."

Bronze signed for Chelsea from Barcelona in the summer

Pupils at the Beechwood School told BBC South East at the launch: "Having someone like Lucy come and see us is so inspirational for everyone here.

"She started at grassroots level and has gone all the way through, that's a motivation for us all.

"She got her first England call-up at 21 - we look at each other and think it is still possible."

The competition is open for female players with a UK passport or birth certificate and a birth date between 1 September 2008 and 31 August 2009.