DOZENS of children have been left inspired after the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 roadshow stopped in Southampton.

The tour visited Westquay shopping centre and gave fans an opportunity to get involved in this year's tournament. 

Southampton is set to host three fixtures at St Mary's Stadium with England set to clash with Northern Ireland in less than a month. 

On Saturday, visitors had the chance to meet England legend Fara Williams, who played for England at two UEFA Women’s Euro championships, three FIFA World Cups and at the London 2012 Olympics.

Kayla Chen, an under 11s girls football coach based at Stoneham Grounds in Southampton, was at the event with some of the girls from her team.

She said: "We had our award ceremony today and then I asked them who would like to come down for the roadshow.

"We are lucky to be in Southampton and so we are just down here wanting to be involved and support what is happening and support women in football."

Meanwhile, Hannah Drinkwater, is the mother of girls Daphne, ten, and Wallace, six, who are both involved with Sholing FC Wildcats.

"I feel really proud, they've really improved so much in such a small time," she said.

"They love going, they've made new friends, they look forward to it. It's really nice to see."

Fara said: "We're here in Southampton, England will be here to play Northern Ireland so we are just raising awareness about the game."

She said she was inspired by her 'football family', and watched her brothers, sisters, and uncles all play football and watch Chelsea every week.

Fara went on to join a women's team and represented her country at the age of just 17.

"There's lots of things that go through your mind when you put your shirt on," she said.

"First and foremost you want to put on a performance for the team but you think about all those people that got you in that position and helped you along that journey and got you to the success of wearing an England shirt.

"It's not easy to represent your country and not many people get to do it."

Meanwhile, world Panna champion, Harriet Pavlou, was at the event showing off her skills.

She has travelled across the world performing her tricks.

Panna is the art of "nutmegging" in which a player rolls or throws the ball between an opponent's legs.

Speaking to girls who want to get into the sport, Harriet said: "First of all you've got to have fun, you have to find something you have fun doing.

"You have to practice, work hard, be disciplined and have fun.

"Go for it and achieve your dreams."

England's most capped and decorated blind footballer Darren Harris was also supporting the event.

He said: "We've brought it to Southampton because this is one of the venues for the games in just a few weeks time.

"Football's been a game that has traditionally been based around Wembly and I think it's really exciting when we get to get around different venues, and it gives people who aren't in London the opportunity to see and support the game.

"This part of the country is quite strong around football anyway so hopefully the games are going to be really well supported."