Kevin Foster: Sarina's Lionesses have done us proud - now make her a Dame

Lionesses

Whilst they sadly missed out to Spain on Sunday, the Lionesses have inspired and done our whole nation proud.

We all hoped they would repeat their heroics of the Euros, but to have reached a World Cup Final is something no other England team has done since the days of Bobby Moore. They played well and give it their all. The only people who should feel embarrassed about the result are the (presumably mostly male) executives at Nike who stupidly decided not to sell the replica shirt of “Queen of Stops” Mary Earps.

It is not that long ago those following the Lionesses had to settle for late night highlights programs or the odd report at the back of a newspaper. Now the team are household names. Yet the greatest result of their efforts is seeing so many girls inspired to take up the game themselves, hoping to be future Lionesses.

Honours

The honours system should be there to reward the greatest and inspire further success.

With a Euro Championship and a World Cup Runner-Ups medal achieved, Sarina Wiegman should now get the Damehood she so richly deserves. Likewise, the team she has led also deserve to be honoured for what they have done not only for women’s football, but the nation as a whole.

TUWFC

Millions have tuned into the Women’s World Cup, yet the biggest driver of future success for England is building the domestic game.

If you have not done so before, make this season the one where you attend a Torquay United Women’s game. They are playing in the Women’s National League for the first time, with the players and their manager regularly getting out to schools across our bay to inspire more girls to play.

A large crowd cheering them on will hasten both future promotions and the day they can play all their home matches at Plainmoor.

Inquiry

We trust those who work in our NHS to look after us and our loved ones, this is why the case of Lucy Letby hits hard and is so abhorrent.

Parents had entrusted their new-born babies to her care and instead of treating them, she murdered them. Unbelievably colleagues who had raised warnings about her behaviour were told to apologise after she raised a grievance claiming bullying. Whilst those medics have now been vindicated, the reaction to their concerns raises serious questions about a culture of denial and protection.

Ms Letby should now be in a prison cell for the rest of her life. The inquiry announced must get to the answers of what went wrong and hold accountable those who failed to heed the warnings given.

Surgery Times

My next surgeries are on: Saturday 2nd September 10am till 12pm at St Martin’s Church, Barton Hill Road, Torquay, TQ2 8JA and Friday 8th September 10am till 12pm at Paignton Library, Great Western Road, Paignton TQ4 5AG.

Surgeries are for personal queries from residents they would like me to help them with. For an appointment you can either email me at kevin@kevinjfoster.com or leave a message on 01803 214989. There are also drop-in sessions at my office 5-7 East St, Torquay, TQ2 5SD between 10am & 1pm Monday to Friday where a member of my team will be available to help with any queries.