World Cup result! Record-breaking Lionesses, prize money and pathways for girls

23 August 2023

Congratulations to England for their groundbreaking achievements at this year’s Women’s World Cup, which saw the squad of 23 claim silver medals after their exciting finale against Spain on Sunday and receive record-breaking prize money from FIFA of $195,000 each – with Lioness shot-stopper Mary Earps also scooping the Golden Glove award for best goalkeeper.

In the UK, the final was broadcast across both the BBC and ITV with a peak TV audience of 14.8 million – the highest for any women’s football match including the Euro’s final at Wembley last year – and greater even than this year’s Men’s Wimbledon final!

To celebrate the Lionesses’ odyssey, this summer Ultimate Coaching hosted a series of World Cup-themed events including two England watch-along screenings at our holiday football camps which saw our young players (and coaches) cheering on the Lionesses’ success and trying to recreate the goals they had just seen!

Increasing representation of the women’s game not only helps to encourage female participation in sport but crucially depicts a sustainable pathway for girls hoping to pursue a career in football. Now 54 years on since the FA lifted their decades-long ban of women’s football, this year FIFA guaranteed each and every Women’s World Cup player $30,000 for the honour of being selected to represent their country – with increasing bonuses for every stage – totalling $270,000 to each of the players lifting the World Cup trophy.

At Ultimate Coaching the new season is almost upon us and we cannot wait to get started. We have worked to establish three brand new girls’ teams across our partner clubs and look forward to welcoming all of our players after a football-filled summer holiday!

To find out more about our girls’ football opportunities and pathways, please contact ewan@ultimate-coaching.co.uk.