Summer of Sport

Thank YOU for helping our heroes of tomorrow

It really is coming home! The Lionesses have made history by beating Germany 2-1 in the final of the Women’s Euros 2022. That’s quite a big deal considering the tournament is the biggest women’s sporting event held in Europe with the games shown live to millions of people from here to Timbuktu (literally).

As National Lottery players, not only have you helped England stars like Ellen White reach the top of her game (she was in great form at Wembley Stadium during the final), you’ve also supported a whole host of brilliant grassroots footballers up and down the country. Thanks to you, over £50Million has been raised for women’s football in the past 10 years. Check out the carousel at the bottom of this page to read some of stories from the players you have helped – and see exclusive photos of a very special National Lottery performance of Three Lions (Football's Coming Home).

And that’s not all. The 2022 Commonwealth Games are underway in Birmingham, and there have already been some upsets. James Wilby beat fellow Englishman Adam Peaty to the gold medal in the 100m breaststroke and Para-cyclist Neil Fachie won Scotland's first gold. Australia is dominating the medal table so far, with Aussie swimmer Emma McKeon’s 11th gold medal making her the most successful Commonwealth Games athlete of all time.

So let’s not forget that, thanks to you, National Lottery players, over £40Million has gone to support the 2022 Commonwealth Games – helping elite athletes get to the very top of their game. Scroll down this page to meet some of the athletes who are going for gold at their first Commonwealth Games. As our ‘ones-to-watch’ heroes of tomorrow, these stories are not to be missed.

Originally published 30th June 2022; updated 1st August 2022

Watch England’s top goalscorer Ellen White in action

It doesn’t matter if you’re an England international or a local league hero, once you’re on the pitch you give it everything you’ve got. Watch Ellen White and Marty Trifonova – a member of Actonians LFC – team up to celebrate the £50Million of funding that has gone to women’s football over the past 10 years thanks to National Lottery players.