Jill Scott opened the first of the 23 new grassroots football pitches in Jarrow, South Tyneside named after her. The Sunderland-born former player did the inaugural honour which she hopes will inspire the next generation of female stars.
The new 3G Jill Scott pitch was unveiled at the Perth Green Community Centre on Thursday. The government, the FA and the Premier League’s Football Foundation are funding these facilities. The facilities will benefit people in or around the hometowns of the Lionesses heroines. The commitment by the three funders was an effort to raise the profile of women’s football at the elite level and increase access to women and girls participating at grassroots level.
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lucy Frazer revealed her delight in honouring Jill and the entire 23-woman squad. The project is part of the £300 million investment in grassroots multi-sport pitches. Millie Bright, Rachel Daly, Lotte Wubben-Moy and, Ella Toone will have theirs unveiled later this year.
She didn’t hide her appreciation for the honour bestowed on her through the naming of this facility after her. The growth of female, disability and recreational football in the local area will benefit from this facility. The pitch will be home to partner clubs Jarrow Town Youth, Jarrow Town Seniors, The Foundation of Light and Boldon CA Girls – who Scott played for during her early stages of football development.
Scott retired from playing football after England’s Euro success. She had a successful playing career representing England 161 times and represented Great Britain at two Olympic Games in 2012 and 2020. She also played her club football for Manchester City, Aston Villa and, Everton in the Women’s Super League.
