Lioness Leah Williamson invests in Toca to inspire women’s football
Summary
Football entertainment group Toca Football has won investment from England womens football captain Leah Williamson, following in the footsteps of mens team captain Harry Kane.Williamson said she has become a stakeholder in Toca to help drive female participation in the sport, in her first foray into the business world.It comes as the Lioness and Arsenal defender has been ruled out of the womens World Cup after suffering an ACL knee injury and undergoing surgery.This has dealt a blow to the national side ahead of the summer tournament.Toca which runs football-themed social entertainment venues, called Toca Social, and operates indoor soccer centres in North America was founded by former American footballer Eddie Lewis.It secured significant investment from Tottenham striker Harry Kane last year, having opened its first social venue at the O2 in London and with plans to grow rapidly this year.There is a solid business opportunity in the rising popularity of womens football, Williamson told the PA news agency.She said: I look at womens football as a business opportunity at the moment. We are constantly trying to sell this product, and were all involved in it day-to-day.I have my job as playing and training, that whole performance side, but I feel like it is extra dedication to the game if you look at it as a small business.The 26-year-old told PA she thinks initiatives like Toca are helping to drive female participation in football.Until the day when there is no higher ground to reach, I think we will always have that responsibility to help promote the sport especially in my privileged position as England captain.Toca said it will be working closely with Williamson on a collaborative campaign to inspire more women to play.President of Toca Social, Alex Harman, said: Leahs commitment to football and her dedication to empowering young women make her an ideal partner for Toca.Williamson said the social enjoyment of football was something that was lacking when she was a young girl playing the sport.She said: We are changing the perception, but especially for a young girl to walk into a team and own that she wants to play football it wasnt the easiest for me for at my age, and it still wont be easy for some girls in certain places where there isnt a girls team.When I was growing up I was the only one of my friendship group who enjoyed football, so I was a bit of a standalone.Enjoying the social side of football and being able to kick a ball without owning a pair of football boots is important and would enhance the sport, Williamson said.Williamson sustained her injury last month during a Super League match against Manchester United.She said in a statement: Ultimately, I think its just my time.I havent had a day since last October when Ive walked onto the pitch without a physical or mental question mark over me, and thats professional sports.