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

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