§ Baroness Anelay of St Johnsasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Blackstone on 16 December 1999 (WA 56–57), what meetings they have held in 2000 with the Football Association to discuss ways of increasing participation by girls in football at school; and what action has been taken by both the Government and the Football Association as a direct consequence of those meetings. [HL1354]
§ The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Baroness Blackstone)DfEE officials met the Football Association on 17 January 2000. At that meeting the Football Association endorsed the need to encourage girls to participate more in sport generally, not just football. They also endorsed the changes to the National Curriculum for September 2000, which emphasise the health-related fitness aspects of physical education, as well as games. Their views have been taken on board in the Government's 161WA thinking on the future of sport and PE in schools and more generally. The FA will look further at how they can raise the profile of football for both girls and boys at school in this context.