Everton Ladies News Roundup: Good Things Happening!

Big news for the WSL

It was announced that Barclays will become the first title sponsor of The FA Women’s Super League with a 10 million-pound partnership until 2022. The partnership begins next season and will see the WSL renamed “Barclays FA Women’s Super League.’ There will be a introduction of an annual £500,000 prize fund for the league that will be distributed based on final league position.

It is believed that the deal will focus on increasing marketing for the league and has opened up the possibility for the FA to look into selling rights to broadcast the league’s games.

Former England international and current FA Director of the Women’s Professional Game, Kelly Simmons, told The Times:

“By the time we go out into the marketplace in 2020 off the back of a growing Super League, and the success of the England Lionesses [in the 2019 World Cup], it will be interesting to see where [the league] will be at in terms of its value.”

Very exciting times! We will keep you posted on how this will directly affect Everton.

Everton Wales Players Making Waves

Striker Elise Hughes won FA Wales Young Player of the Year award. First she scores in a derby, then she wins an award, what’s next for her? She’s in good company with midfielder Angharad James also on the Wales team and NWSL star Jess Fishlock winning for Wales Player of the Year award.

Speaking of Angharad James, she’s Everton’s leader of most interceptions (29) and ranks 8th in the WSL.

Sunday Match against Familiar Faces

Everton Ladies travel to Bristol City on Sunday for an afternoon game against the fifth place team. Manager Willie Kirk was the boss at Bristol City not that long ago, and told Everton.com that he was looking forward to it:

“It will be good to go back to my old home and see some familiar faces. It will be a tough game. Bristol have done exceptionally well this season but I think we can go there and win the game because I believe we can beat anybody."

The Blues are coming off a big win against West Ham, who are in 6th place and have made it to the FA Cup semi-finals.

The squad is dealing with quite a few injuries, with Kirk telling Everton.com after that game:

“We are down to bare bones with injuries already, we had a couple of 16-year-olds on the bench.”

No word on whether or not England international, Gabby George, will be back from injury.

Match Details:

⚽ @bristolcitywfc v @EvertonLadies

3pm Sun 24 March

Stoke Gifford Stadium, BS34 8LP

http://the-fa.com/yWw2B3 (£3-6)