Sheffield Hallam University are hosting a day in celebration of women’s football, ahead of the Women’s Euro 2022

Press contact: Emma Griffiths | e.griffiths@shu.ac.uk

The free event open to everyone on Saturday 2 July will be hosted in the University’s Owen Building and features a schedule of interactive talks, Q&As and music.  

The day will kick off with an interactive talk by Jean Williams, Professor of Sport History and National Lead on Women’s Euros heritage. Professor Williams will be telling the story of women's football in 11 historical objects and celebrating the ways women and girls have historically pioneered football.  

This will be followed by talks about women in sports journalism and financing the future of women’s football. 

Throughout the morning, musicians from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will be outside in Hallam Square for the launch of their ‘tournament anthem’ created for Sheffield as one of the host cities of the Women’s Euros.  

The musicians will be inviting people to stop, learn and sing along to the anthem outside, before heading into the Atrium for a discussion on the links between high level sport and music. 

Ashley Barnes, organiser of the event and deputy head of the department of humanities at Hallam, said: “It’s exciting to bring together inspirational speakers, musicians, academics and lovers of football to celebrate women’s football. Sheffield is the home of football, and we are proud to share our love of the women’s game in the run up to the Women’s Euros.”  

Other highlights of the day include:  

• A conversation and Q&A with Nancy Frostick, journalist at The Athletic. 
• The launch of a ‘short story dispenser’ which will be placed in the city centre during the Women’s Euros. The dispenser provides people with a 1–5-minute short story, all of which have been written by people and children in Sheffield as well as Hallam staff and students.  
• A screening of Bend it Like Beckham at the Showroom cinema in the evening.  
• A discussion on financing women’s football with Dr Dan Plumley and Dr Beth Fielding-Lloyd. 
  
  The event has been supported by funding from Arts Council England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. 
  
  Visit the Eventbrite to register for free tickets and for more information on the schedule.