The new England blind team and an in-the-works cerebral palsy side are part of what the Football Association has described as a “hugely exciting” current picture in terms of women’s para football.
In its ‘Football Your Way’ disability plan launched in October 2021, the FA stated its aim of fielding two new England women’s teams – blind and CP.
The former, who had their first official training camp at St George’s Park a year ago, are currently preparing for a first world championships this summer, and the hope regarding the latter, with a building process ongoing, is that a side will be established “in the next couple of years”.
Meanwhile, the FA last month announced it was switching focus and funding for the national deaf women’s team from 11-a-side to futsal, and players – having become European champions last year in that format – working towards the World Deaf Futsal Championships that take place in Brazil in November.
On the overall picture, Catherine Gilby, who has been the FA’s head of para performance since January 2022 after more than a decade with British Para-Swimming, told the PA news agency: “It is hugely exciting.
“I think probably historically it’s not necessarily been an option maybe that would have been at the forefront for a young girl with a disability, in terms of pulling on an England shirt. But I do think that’s a reality now.
“We do face a challenge in that space where we’ve got big competition from other para sports. I think that plays heavily, on the female side in particular.
“There’s a bit of education and raising awareness I think we need to do in order to redress the balance. I think it’s not always the first choice at the moment – and we’ve got to change things around so that it’s a choice that any girl with a disability has.”
The blind team are set to be involved in the International Blind Sports Federation World Games taking place in Birmingham in August, and Gilby said of the event: “For the first time, I think we have eight teams competing on the women’s side of things.
“Because of where they (England) are in their journey, it’s a real learning experience for them and I think we’ll have a much better gauge not only of where they’re at, but also where the world scene is at.”
While Gilby says it would not yet be possible to field a full CP team “of sufficient level”, six players took part in a training opportunity attached to a World Cup in Barcelona last year, and she added: “Some of our biggest focus at the moment is working with grassroots teams to make sure we’re supporting opportunity for female CP players to play.
“Then they also feed into our talent hubs and pathway where ultimately we’re confident we can develop them… in order to then field a team. I think in the next couple of years we will have one, but it’s very dependent on getting numbers through the door, which sits with our talent ID team.”
The FA’s switch in terms of the deaf team comes after England in October – a few months on from the historic European Championship success of Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses – triumphed at the deaf futsal Euros in Italy.
England pivot Zara Musker, the tournament’s top scorer, told PA: “It was one of the best experiences of my life and a way of us saying we have got the players here.
“If we can self-fund and win European Championships, then it’s massive for what’s to come. The team’s fantastic, we all work for each other, and it’s just fortunate I’m on the end of the goals.
“Having Maisie (O’Shea, who also plays for London City Lionesses) is just massive for our pathway – if you have an 18-year-old getting into the best team in Europe, can you imagine what she’s going to be like when she gets to my age of 26?”
There is also an England powerchair side that is currently all-male but can be mixed gender – Gilby has said there is “work for us to do at grassroots level to get more females involved”.
Tottenham 0-1 Chelsea: Blues back on top of WSL with victory
Chelsea go top of the Women's Super League table after edging to a 1-0 victory over Tottenham on Wednesday.
Maika Hamano scored the winning goal in the 37th minute, tapping in from the goal-line after meeting Guro Reiten's whipped cross.
The Japan international almost opened the scoring before that, sending a diving header over the bar.
Ashleigh Neville scuffed Spurs' best chance over the bar from close range just after half-time, but the Blues regained their control to see out a vital victory.
Data Debrief: In their hands
Chelsea are on course to lift their fifth consecutive WSL after securing back-to-back wins against Bristol City and Spurs, scoring nine goals without reply.
Spurs' hangover from their FA Cup defeat may have carried over here, but they were up against a Chelsea side that have only failed to score in one of their 21 league games this seaosn.
Vilahamn wants to use FA Cup final defeat as 'beginning' for Tottenham Women
Tottenham Women manager Robert Vilahamn believes his side will use their FA Cup final defeat to start something special, rather than ending their good work.
Spurs were hammered 4-0 by Manchester United Women in Sunday's Wembley Stadium showpiece as Ella Toone and Rachel Williams were on target before Lucia Garcia's second-half double.
Vilahamn's side failed to manage a shot on target but the Spurs boss suggested his team will catch up to the women's elite clubs.
"The main thing I said was this is not the end, it is the beginning," Vilahamn said.
"We still have a gap between us and the top teams but that's normal. We are closing the gap but we haven't closed the gap yet."
Tottenham finished sixth in the Women's Super League as well as reaching this final, their first FA Cup showpiece appearance in their short history.
Vilahamn wants his Spurs players to use this defeat as motivation going forward.
"If you take away the feelings right now, you need to look at these players doing some incredible things this year," he said.
"We are at Wembley playing in front of our fans and they are actually enjoying it and staying, and supporting us after.
"We got a good experience today and we are learning how to play at Wembley more times. We need to look at it that way because the players are amazing."
Erik ten Hag: Man United fans are understanding of situation
Erik ten Hag is confident he still has the understanding of supporters after Manchester United's poor run of form continued with defeat to Arsenal.
United were beaten 1-0 by Premier League title chasers Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday in a game that saw them create little.
While United did well to restrict Arsenal's chances, they had just two shots on target themselves - long-rangers from Casemiro and Antony.
The Red Devils have had to contend with a number of injury problems this season, not least against Arsenal with a makeshift defence fielded.
And for that reason, Ten Hag - whose job beyond this season has been called into question - believes the fanbase remain supportive.
"They understand where we are and where this club is," he told Sky Sports. "We have so many injuries in key areas.
"The fans don't get what they deserve, but they understand this and that is why they are behind the team.
"I think that is why they are with us we are united. Hopefully we can pay them back in the future."
Ten Hag pointed out that United were without seven possible starters, forcing him to field veteran Jonny Evans alongside Casemiro at centre-back.
Casemiro was at fault for Arsenal's goal as he was slow getting back up the field, meaning Havertz was onside before teeing up Trossard.
Ten Hag, though, was not willing to point the finger of blame at the underperforming midfielder.
"In that situation he is a midfielder playing in that position and making a small mistake, but it has hard consequences," he said.
"Before that, in possession we could have done better in others positions. It's details."
Eighth-placed United have won just one of their past eight league matches in a run that includes a 4-0 thumping at Crystal Palace earlier in the week.
The Red Devils have lost 19 games in all competitions this season, which is their most since 1977-78 when also losing 19.
Asked if he believes he is the man to turn things around, Ten Hag said: "I have no doubt about this.
"Mostly, this team has the right spirit and they execute the rules and principles of the game even if they have to adapt in their positions.
"I can only be happy and it is a big compliment for this team that they executed all that they could and they were fighting."
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