Girls ‘should play football against boys to develop stars of future’

England women’s football stars today called for more girls to play the game alongside boys to help develop the top players of the future.

Midfielder Jordan Nobbs, 25, and defender Leah Williamson, 21, who both play for Arsenal, said mixed sides helped give girls a “competitive” mindset and improve their skills.

Williamson, who was named England’s youth player of the year in 2015, only got scouted by the Gunners aged nine because she played in her local boys’ team. She said strides were being taken in the game to get more younger female players to develop alongside boys— but integrating the two sexes should be encouraged even more.

She said: “From playing with boys when they’re younger, girls definitely develop an understanding of football — we can’t rely on our physical attributes when playing with boys so we have to be clever, and I think that transfers when you get older and you see the women’s game. It’s different — it’s not just pace power, there is a lot of skill.”

Nobbs, who has more than 50 caps for England, was signed to Sunderland FC youth team aged seven, and played as part of a girls’ team in an otherwise all-boys’ league. “That competitiveness for me as a young kid to play against boys and to be pushed at that level, I think it was a great experience and got me to where I am today,” she said.

“I would encourage that girls get to play football with boys, and I think it’s great that they have now introduced a higher age of that happening [in junior leagues], as naturally boys are a bit stronger, they do develop quicker than us, and I think as players it’s great to have that competitive side.”

They both hailed the “unbelievable” change in attitudes to the women’s game they have witnessed during their careers. It has come alongside success for the England national team, with the Lionesses finishing third in the 2015 World Cup, and an increased profile in the media and on TV. Williamson said: “That girls can get involved in school and then turn on the TV and see us at the weekend just shows the progression the women’s game has made.”

Next week the pair will be among Lionesses leading a series of Disney-themed football sessions aimed at making the sport more appealing to girls aged five to 11. Training sessions will involve ball mastery, possession skills and teamwork for girls of all ability levels, combined with themes and imagery of Disney’s modern heroines such as Moana.

The FA’s Gameplan for Growth aims to double participation of girls by 2020. Kelly Simmons, FA participation and development director, said of the week: “The combination of our football sessions with some Disney magic will help to make football a relevant and attractive offering for girls at this age.”

• FA Girls’ Football Week, supported by Disney, will run from Monday. Details at FAgirlsfootballweek.com