Jill Scott returns to her childhood club to meet the next generation of Lionesses
Watch We Are England- England's Next Lionesses on BBC iPlayer from Monday, 9 January at 20:00 GMT.

The queen of the jungle wasJill Scott.

She is certain her life would have been different if it weren't for a youth worker in South Shields who set up a grassroots team for girls.

Scott goes back to South Shields to revisit the club where her journey in girls' football began in a new film.

The club counts three Lionesses among its alumni, including Scott, who is one of the founding members.

The Lionesses' first major trophy was won by the squad that included Scott and Stokes.

Scott was one of the most decorated football players in the country. He played in two Olympics. She won the Women's Super League once and the FA Cup and League Cup three times with Manchester City. The FA Cup was won by her atEverton.

Scott had a hard time finding opportunities to play football as a child.

She says she wouldn't have played for England without Paul.

At the age of 9, I was told I couldn't play with the boys anymore. I had to find a girl's team. I met Paul Smith that day.

We were taken to training by Paul. Getting up dead early on a Saturday, playing football, and travelling around with the girls having a good time are my most cherished memories.

Jill Scott and the Lionesses lift the European Championship trophy at Wembley.
Scott was at the heart of the celebrations after the Lionesses made history in the summer - winning their first major international trophy

Smith said there was no provision for girls' football.

He says the Football Association didn't give anything. The boys were not playing.

Smith was able to reflect on how young players he coached went on to achieve international success.

He was happy for the England team to win the tournament. They have played a part in their success.

She is looking forward to seeing how the club has grown.

Scott believes that he can see more than one coach for the entire session. It used to be Paul on his own.

The Football Association has made provision for grassroots girls' football a priority.

The organization launched a women's and girls' strategy in 2020.

And in November 2022 it reported that since October 2021, there had been a 17% increase in female affiliated players across all levels of the game, a 30% increase in female registered football teams, and a 15% increase in female youth teams.

Despite that, there is still plenty of room for growth, with the FA calculating that only a small percentage of schools in England offer equal access to football for boys and girls. They want to increase that number to 75% by the year 2024.

Boldon FC players walk towards horizon.
Boldon's latest crop of young players hope to follow in Jill Scott's footsteps

Scott is trying to make it as a professional player.

Abbey would love to be a full time football player.

The Lionesses inspire me. It's great to know they came from this club.

Scott thinks stories like hers can encourage other girls.

"Growing up, my role models were David Beckham and Steven Gerrard, male football players, because that's what I could see on the TV," she says.

The women's game is more accessible now that it is visible. Winning this medal will give the girls more pride.

The girls can say that there was a game at Wembley this year where the girls did well, if the boys say girls can't play football.

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