In the countdown to the Women's Euro 2005 Championships, a series of schools roadshows are sweeping across the ten local authorities of Greater Manchester. The Roadshows are a part of the legacy programme of the championships aimed at encouraging girls and women to become involved in the fastest growing female sport.

Already the programme has visited the boroughs of Wigan, Bury, Salford & Oldham involving 34 schools with approximately 2,000 girls being a part of the initiative. There are further Roadshows planned in Stockport, Rochdale, Trafford, Bolton, Tameside and finally in Manchester where the opening fixture will be played. The format of the programme involves both secondary and primary school girls being involved in practical demonstrations, a question and answer session and an opportunity to get autographs from current England Internationals Rachael Unitt and Lindsay Johnson. The England players have also been supported by local grassroots football clubs enabling the girls to have a pathway of opportunities to play on a regular basis.

GreaterSport's Girls and Women’s Football Development Officer, Louise Belcher, commented: "The Roadshows have been very well received across Greater Manchester - we are not yet half way through the programme and already we have seen nearly 2,000 girls participate in the sessions.

"They are stimulating interest in the Championships and having England International players visit the schools as part of the initiative the girls are able to get an insight into what it is like to play football at an elite level.

"Hopefully some of the girls that have taken part in the Roadshows will now become involved in one of the many grass roots clubs that have helped us with the project and may go on the emulate players such as Rachael & Lindsay and one day play for England."