The Prime Minister has instructed England’s Lionesses that the “whole nation is rooting for you” as they put together to tackle Spain within the Women’s World Cup closing.
In a letter, Rishi Sunak wished England boss Sarina Wiegman and her gamers good luck for the ultimate in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday, telling them: “You’ve made us all proud.”
The Lionesses’ look within the World Cup closing means a senior England facet may very well be topped world champions for the primary time for the reason that males’s staff triumphed in 1966.
It is the primary time both a males’s or girls’s England XI have performed in a World Cup closing since Bobby Moore lifted the trophy at Wembley 57 years in the past.
All that continues to be is to deliver the trophy house too — and the entire nation is rooting for you
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak
Mr Sunak has opted to not attend the southern hemisphere closing in individual, sending Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer to Australia to characterize the UK Government.
Addressing the letter to “Sarina and all our Lionesses”, the Prime Minister stated: “On behalf of the entire country, I want to wish you the best of luck against Spain in the World Cup final!
“Once again, this summer, you’ve made us all proud.
“From beating the Aussies in their own backyard to winning that penalty shoot-out, you have inspired us with your skill, teamwork and courage.
“This weekend, like millions of others, I will be watching and cheering you on.
“But whatever the result, I want you to know that you have already secured a lasting legacy: that every girl in this country will have equal access to all school sport, including football.”
Mr Sunak’s X account posted a video of him studying the letter aloud interspersed with clips of him assembly younger feminine footballers and soccer followers and clips of the Lionesses throughout the match.
He praised the Lionesses for utilizing their Women’s Euros win final yr as a springboard to foyer for higher entry for girls and ladies to play sport, highlighting how the finalists had “faced down outdated attitudes” and that their worldwide careers had been “earned against the odds”.
Mr Sunak, a Southampton FC supporter, continued: “For my daughters, and for every girl in this country, you have made football something for them; you have made them feel they belong on the pitch.
“So – in a way – you’ve already brought football home.
“All that remains is to bring the trophy home too — and the whole nation is rooting for you. Thank you – and good luck!”
Labour chief Sir Keir Starmer echoed related sentiments in his letter to the Lionesses as he instructed them that “everyone back in England is with you all the way”.
Sir Keir stated: “No matter what happens on Sunday, the whole country will always be grateful to you for ensuring a generation of youngsters walk taller and prouder.
“Just as for previous games we will be tuning in as a family, kicking every ball while trying to keep a lid on our nerves. Millions of households will be doing the same.”