Page 6 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.10 2021-22
P. 6

Marissa wins prestigious award

       Northern Ireland senior women’s team captain Marissa Callaghan was named Sportsperson of
       the Year by Ulster Tatler at its annual awards ceremony.
            Callaghan  beat  off  stiff  competition  from  golfer  Leona  Maguire  and  motorcyclist
       Jonathan Rea to land the title at the ceremony, held on Thursday evening.
            "I  am  delighted  and  honoured,"  said  Callaghan,  who  earlier  this  year  led  the  senior
       women’s team to qualification for their first-ever UEFA Women's Euro finals.
            "It is amazing recognition for the great work everyone has put in the past few years to
       grow the game and put women’s football on the map. I will continue to work hard to promote
       the game and inspire our young players.
            "I want to take the opportunity to say thank you to everyone that voted and to the Ulster
       Tatler for putting on such a brilliant night."
       (Irishfa.com)
       Women’s football weekend returns

       The spotlight will be on the women’s game once again next week when the third ever Women’s
       Football Weekend takes place, with coverage across Sky Sports, the BBC and The FA Player.
            Not only will fans be able to enjoy hours of action from the comfort of their own home,
       but  supporters  will  also  be  warmly  welcomed  back  into  stadiums  after  last  year’s  Women’s
       Football Weekend was forced to be played behind closed doors.
            This season, fans are encouraged to go and support their team whether that is a club in
       the top tier of the Barclays FA Women’s Super League, where great entertainment and some of
       the  world’s  best  players  will  be  on  display,  or  further  down  the  pyramid  where  passionate
       players participate with clubs embedded in their local community.
            The weekend will see some fiercely fought derbies and developing rivalries in the Barclays
       FA Women’s Super League with matches spread out across the weekend for fans to watch and
       attend.
            Among them, Manchester City will host Chelsea live in front of the Sky cameras, while
       there will be another north London derby with Tottenham Hotspur hosting Arsenal on BBC One.
            During  the  very  first  Women’s  Football  Weekend,  the  Gunners  came  out  on  top  at
       Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in front of a record crowd of 38,262.
            Carla Ward will return to Birmingham City for the first time with Aston Villa in a much
       anticipated  West  Midlands  derby,  while  Brighton  &  Hove  Albion  will  return  to  the  AMEX
       Stadium to host promoted Leicester City.
            The FA Women’s Championship promises to be equally exciting with every game being
       streamed on The FA Player for the second Women’s Football Weekend running. High flying
       Durham Women and Liverpool will meet in the North East, while there is a south London derby
       between Charlton Athletic, now led by Karen Hills, and Crystal Palace.
            In addition to the top two tiers, the First Round proper of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup
       is due to be played, with 56 ties to be staged across the country.
            Kelly Simmons, the FA’s Director of the Women’s Professional Game said: “Women’s
       Football Weekend is such a significant event within our season because its an opportunity to
       really showcase the very best of our sport.
            “With some of the best players in the world showcasing their talents in some of the biggest
       matches of the season, this is a real opportunity for fans to be part of a big weekend of action.
            “But  this  isn’t  just  about  the  top  of  the  pyramid.  Women’s  Football  Weekend  is  for
       everyone and I hope those at grassroots level also see new fans coming to their matches and
       really embrace the spirit of what the weekend is all about – our mutual love of the game.”
            Barclays FA Women’s Super League matches not selected for broadcast over the weekend
       will be available to stream live on The FA Player, where all FA Women’s Championship matches
       will also be available live.
        Issue no. 10 - 4 November 2021         news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk
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