The 21 for 21 programme provided 21 women and girls from Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas the opportunity to receive specialist funding and mentoring to support their journeys in football in a two year programme leading up to the UEFA Women's EURO 2022.

21 For 21 aimed to provide dedicated support for female players, coaches, match officials or committee members and was due to run from July 2019 to July 2021 to correspond with the start of the European tournament in July 2021. However, there were obvious challenges with this and therefore the programme was extended to July 2022, due to the enforced delay to the tournament by the pandemic.

The programme looked to help overcome some of the key barriers to sustained participation in women’s football, specifically in relation to lack of support and funding. 21 For 21 tackles this through dedicated individual support; helping more females to remain in the game whilst creating additional role models for local women and girls wishing to start their own journeys in football.

Having a host city here in our County for the #WEURO2022 is a fantastic opportunity to promote the game locally and inspire both those already involved in the game but also those looking to get involved. Therefore it was fitting to hold the final face-to-face meeting in line with the Denmark v Finland Group B game at Stadium MK, so all those involved could watch a major tournament game. 

The programme legacy will continue via the release of individual Bios foloowing the conclusion of the tournament, documenting the individual journeys in the game of those involved. 

To find out what is happening in the #WEURO2022 legacy, please visit our Women's EURO Legacy Hub site.