'I’m going to frame my boots, shirt and sports bra - absolutely everything!'
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Chloe Kelly’s shirt-off celebration in Sunday’s EURO Final has already become an iconic image and the winger has revealed she plans to frame her now famous sports bra.
The 24-year-old, who grew up just a bus ride away from Wembley Stadium, scored the crucial extra-time goal during the UEFA Women’s EUROs Final victory over Germany.
And Kelly celebrated her match-winning goal by taking her shirt off and waving it around her head as she ran to her team-mates.
A host of women have since spoken about how the image of a female athlete taking her shirt off in a major tournament final has been empowering and hugely significant.
The moment brought back moments of USA legend Brandi Chastain, who did a similar celebration when helping her side to the 1999 World Cup and has since described it as ‘life-changing’.
This image of a woman shirtless in a sports bra - hugely significant. This is a woman’s body - not for sex or show - just for the sheer joy of what she can do and the power and skill she has. Wonderful. #Lionesses pic.twitter.com/Bjrpozf6kj
— Lucy Ward 🇺🇦 (@lucymirandaward) July 31, 2022
I see you @Chloe_Kelly98 well done. Enjoy the free rounds of pints and dinners for the rest of your life from all of England. Cheers!
— Brandi Chastain (@brandichastain) July 31, 2022
And speaking to the media at Monday’s victory celebration, Kelly said: “I’m going to frame my boots, my shirt and my sports bra probably - absolutely everything!”
The importance of women and girls having access to sports bras was discussed pre-tournament as part of Nike’s Made to Play campaign.
It is part of Nike’s global commitment to getting kids moving, removing barriers and expanding girls’ access to the many benefits of physical exercise.
A key barrier to address is providing girls with the right apparel and equipment they need to play with confidence.
To help coaches and other adults create an informative and fun experience for girls receiving sports bras, Nike have developed a dedicated playbook, in partnership with leading experts in body image from the Centre for Appearance Research at UWE Bristol.
You can find out more in our #InTheBox podcast below, which joins Nike’s sports bra roadshow at Liverpool FC and Harborough Town FC and you can download the Made to Play Sports Bra Playbook here.
Building body confidence in the girls' game
Watch our extra special In The Box podcast, as we visit Nike’s Sports Bra Roadshow at Liverpool FC and Harborough Town FC
For Kelly, Monday’s celebration in Trafalgar Square was followed by a return to her family, boyfriend and dog Otis.
But as if the last week hasn’t been special enough, Kelly revealed: “I’m getting another puppy on Friday! I’ve convinced my boyfriend to get one. I want to spend some time with my family and then we’ll get the puppy.”
Kelly was an integral member of England’s UEFA Women’s EURO-winning squad, as alongside the likes of Ella Toone and Alessia Russo, she consistently made an impact from the bench.
Fans will have the chance to see Kelly back in action in the Barclays Women’s Super League this season, which gets underway on Saturday 11 September when Manchester United travel to the impressive Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The other teams then kick off the following day, with Chelsea welcoming London rivals West Ham to Stamford Bridge and Brighton and Hove Albion Community Stadium hosting Aston Villa among the exciting fixtures.
As for England’s women’s team, they will be back in World Cup qualifying action the week before, when they travel to Austria on 3 September before fans can watch them take on Luxembourg at Stoke City on Tuesday 6 September, with more than 20,000 tickets sold in the initial buying window.
If the Lionesses secure World Cup qualification in those matches, with Sarina Wiegman’s side five points clear of Austria and there only six to play for, then England will be back at Wembley Stadium on Friday 7 October when they are set to face the reigning world champions USA.
The match went on sale less than 24 hours ago and there have been more than 65,000 tickets already sold.
The USA fixture will provide crucial preparation as the Lionesses build towards the 2023 FIFA World Cup, which is set to take place in Australia and New Zealand between 20 July and 20 August.
And Kelly said: “Looking at this medal makes you so much hungrier for more. The World Cup is around the corner and I want to win trophies.
“As a young girl you grow up seeing people win trophies and we’re here doing that. One is not enough. We want more!”