Former Lioness Jill Scott has spoken of the importance of youth clubs for accessing sport ahead of a five-day cycle and marathon challenge for Sport Relief.

She will travel 388 miles (624 km) from Wembley Stadium - the site of her historic 2022 Euros win - to her home town club at Sunderland's Stadium of Light.

Setting off on 8 June, she will also stop at football stadiums and community hubs that have been a part of her life and career.

Scott said thanks to the support network she had when she was young, she had fulfilled her dream of playing for England and winning the 2022 Euros which was the "best day of my life".

She said she was "100% committed" to finishing the charity challenge because she wanted to "make a difference" to people's lives.

Along the way she will visit Aston Villa, Everton, Man City and grassroots community team Bishop Auckland FC Ladies.

"As a young girl, I really had to rely on coaches and PE teachers to guide me on my journey of wanting to be a footballer," she said.

"I was so lucky that I was offered safe spaces to play football and had incredible teachers and coaches who I could trust and who could help me, but there's so many young people that don't get those opportunities."

Reflecting on the growth in women's football, Scott said "times have definitely changed".

"Even when I went and visited this project in Southwick Snyp (Southwick Neighbourhood Youth Project in Sunderland), there was the same number of girls playing as there was boys and I didn't even really think about it until I walked away.

"But the fact that I didn't think about it - that's how far we've come."

Scott sets off on Monday with a 112-mile (180 km) bike ride from Wembley Stadium to Villa Park before tackling another 99-mile ride to Everton Hill Dickinson Stadium.

She will then take on a 38-mile (61 km) run to Manchester before a Tour-de France style 111-mile (178 km) cycle to the North East on day four.

The challenge will end on 12 June with a 28-mile (45 km) marathon finish to the Stadium of Light.

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Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdrp8m6zyxmo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss