New research from British Gas has found that while 97% of adults believe it’s important for children to grow up seeing visible female role models, over a third (34%) feel there simply aren’t enough of them in public life today.
That gap runs right through children’s literature, TV and film too. Six in ten (60%) of people don’t think enough children’s books, TV shows and films show girls aspiring to be successful, passionate and ambitious, rising to two thirds (66%) among women.
British Gas is putting that into action. To encourage families to discover women’s football for themselves, and as a proud, official partner of WSL Football, the energy provider is launching The Things’ Football Adventures, a brand-new illustrated children’s book series with a first-of-its-kind ‘flip it over’ format: two front covers, one per team, meeting in the middle. The debut title, Match Day Mix-Up!, follows the Thing family at a Manchester United v Brighton and Hove Albion match and will be available as a digital download, alongside a video of Euro 2022-winning Lioness Jill Scott reading the book, who has also written its foreword.
With the new season getting underway, British Gas is encouraging families to discover women’s football for themselves, whether that’s heading to their local football club to experience the excitement of a matchday or supporting from home.
Sport is helping increase the visibility of female role models. Olympic heptathlon champion Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill (37%) topped the nation’s list of most admired, with fellow sporting stars Dame Kelly Holmes (34%), Alex Scott (32%) and Jill Scott (29%) all making the top ten, alongside household names like Adele (29%) and Emma Watson (29%).
And the research shows just how much that representation matters: 92% of people think seeing female footballers in books, TV or the media could encourage more girls to take up football or sport, while 96% would like to see more children’s stories featuring girls as footballers, athletes and sporting heroes.
“Women’sfootballhascapturedthenation,andwewanteveryonetofeelpartofthatstory.Asaproud,officialpartnerofWSLFootball,we’redelightedtolaunchTheThings’FootballAdventures,abrand-newseriesofchildren’sbooksthatbringsthegametolifeforthenextgeneration.WithsupportfromtheinspirationalJillScott,ourgoalissimple:getmorefamiliesexcitedaboutwomen’sfootball,whicheverteamtheysupport,andturntoday’sreadersintotomorrow’sfans.”James Corcoran, Brand Partnerships Director at British Gas
“Growingup,Ididn’talwaysseefootballerslikemeinthebooksIread,sobeingpartofTheThings’FootballAdventuresreallymeansalottome.Iknowhowimportantitisforyoungpeopletoseethemselvesinthestoriestheyreadandtheplayerstheylookupto.Representationmatters,onthepagejustasmuchasitdoesonthepitchandIhopethisbookinspiresthenextgenerationtogetoutthere,enjoyfootballandbelievetheycanbepartofittoo.”Jill Scott
To download the book or watch the book reading by Jill Scott, visit: https://britishgas.co.uk/football-adventures
