On the eve of England Women’s opening World Cup group match against France, The FA launched ‘We Can Play’ – a campaign to shatter lingering preconceptions about women’s and girls’ football, and boost participation.

‘We Can Play’ has subsequently gained significant momentum and thousands of girls have showcased their love for the sport, but The FA is now calling for even more girls to enjoy a kick-about.

Despite its status as the largest team sport for girls and women in the country, peer-to-peer pressures, gender stereotyping and even the derogatory results of internet searches all contribute to a perpetuation of a negatively distorted image of the women’s game – which research has revealed is holding back greater participation in football.

With the England Women’s team, and women’s football in general, enjoying unprecedented exposure, The FA is hoping the next generation of young Lionesses will be inspired to take up the game for themselves.

It is also calling for parents to provide greater support for their daughters playing football. Recent research from The FA has shown that just one in five dads want their daughters to play football.

The aim of ‘We Can Play’ is to not only increase participation but also increase girls’ confidence that football is a sport for them and showcase positive role models like Steph Houghton, Jill Scott, Karen Carney, Katie Chapman, Fran Kirby and Jodie Taylor, or any of the Lionesses currently starring in Canada.

Join Cheshire FA and The FA in supporting girls' football:

1. Download and read Cheshire FA Girl's Football Guide, packed with information about how to get involved in girls football in Cheshire with information about sessions and clubs, by clicking HERE.

2. Sign Up to show your support and receive our We Can Play newsletter – we’ll keep you updated on all things girls' football related

3. Share your girls' football stories with the hashtag #WeCanPlay