England's Lionesses are capitalising on their historic success to forge a lasting legacy for women's football, with Arsenal striker Alessia Russo launching her own foundation and a brand-new tournament to ensure young girls have the opportunities she enjoyed.
More Than a Game: The Alessia Russo Cup
The inaugural Alessia Russo Cup, a one-day competition for nearly 200 girls aged 12 to 14 from schools across north and east London, marked the tangible start of this mission. Russo dedicated over an hour after the event, ensuring she signed every shirt, boot, and bag, refusing to leave until she had met every single participant.
'I'm glad I didn't miss one of them,' the 26-year-old forward said, 'because I wasn't able to make it for all the tournament. I know how much this whole day would have meant to me when I was this age.'
A Personal Mission for Lasting Change
This is far from a mere publicity stunt. Russo's own family, including her parents and brothers, were present, underscoring the crucial role her support system played in her journey to becoming a two-time European champion and Champions League winner. Her foundation specifically targets school-age girls, between 11 and 18, aiming to provide the support and passion for the game that not every child is fortunate enough to have.
'When I was in school, I was fortunate to have really good people around me and a passion in football. I know that not everyone has that. It can be tough,' Russo admitted. 'School is definitely a focus point for mine.'
The Lionesses' Collective Drive
Russo is not alone in this endeavour. She highlighted the shared vision among the squad, mentioning teammate Ella Toone's ET7 Academy. 'I think we often talk about what ideas we have outside of football, especially me and Ella with her academy and me launching this foundation,' Russo explained. 'We've already spoken about how we can collaborate and do something really cool.'
She sees this work not as a pressure, but as an enjoyable responsibility. 'Football is so intense that doing stuff like this makes me happy,' she continued. 'On the pitch is amazing, but stuff like this means a little bit more, in the sense that you can see the passion of these young girls.'
Russo believes this connection to their roots is what sets the current generation of Lionesses apart. While acknowledging the men's game is different, she cherishes the ability to directly inspire the next generation. 'I love the part of women's football that we can come and do this, because it means a lot to me, it means a lot to the girls that we got to see.'
For Russo and her teammates, this is a golden period they are determined to build upon, ensuring the current surge in popularity translates into permanent, accessible pathways for every girl who dreams of playing the game.
