The Football Association and the BBC have agreed a new exclusive national deal making Radio 5 live sports extra the home of live women’s football for 2014.
5 live sports extra will offer live commentary throughout the 2014 FA WSL season in a move that reinforces the BBC’s ongoing commitment to women’s sport.
Starting on Wednesday 16 April, ‘5 live: Women’s Super League’ will bring build up and live commentary from at least 16 games during the season on 5 live sports extra with some coverage on Radio 5 live.
FA WSL 1
Arsenal, Birmingham City, Bristol Academy, Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester City, Notts County
Current WSL players will join the commentary team using their expertise to bring a unique awareness and knowledge of the game. Extensive access to clubs alongside interviews with players and coaches will ensure audiences are given an exclusive insight into what is set to be the most thrilling WSL season to date.
The first show will bring live action from Meadow Lane as Rick Passmoor ‘s Notts County take on Shelley Kerr’s Arsenal. Other games confirmed include title holders Liverpool taking on Everton on 30 April before they face the newest WSL recruits, Manchester City, on 14 May.
Kelly Simmons, FA Director of National Game and Women’s Football, said: "We are delighted with our partnership with the BBC to showcase top level women’s football across all their platforms.
"Our fans, along with newcomers to the game, will enjoy unprecedented levels of women’s football coverage in what is a very exciting year ahead.
"We've set out a plan with our partners to develop high quality semi professional women's football in England and the partnership with the BBC is instrumental in helping us deliver on our ambition."
Controller of BBC Radio 5 live, Jonathan Wall, added: "I’m delighted that 5 live sports extra is able to bring even more coverage of women’s football to the BBC through this new partnership.
"The 2014 FA WSL season is set to be the best yet and strengthens the impressive line up of live sport we already have on sports extra."
With last year’s UEFA Women’s Euros on BBC reaching audiences of 9.9m; the ever expanding content across TV, radio and online, including the all new 5 live sports extra programme, reaffirms the BBC’s dedication to women’s football to a keen audience.
FA WSL 2
Aston Villa, Doncaster Rovers Belles, Durham, London Bees, Millwall Lionesses, Oxford United, Reading, Sunderland, Watford, Yeovil Town
On Monday 31 March, 'The Women’s Football Show' returns to BBC TV ahead of the new season. In the new slot of 7pm on BBC Three and BBC Three HD, presenter Jacqui Oatley fronts eight editions of the show, joined in the studio by big guests and regular names in the world of women’s football.
On the first show Oatley is joined by England Women’s head coach Mark Sampson and last season’s Players’ Player of the Year Natasha Dowie. Meanwhile former England internationals Sue Smith and Faye White take on new roles in the show to bring analysis and insight to the women’s game. The Women’s Football Show is also available on the BBC iPlayer for a week afterwards.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015 qualifying matches continue into 2014 with all of England’s matches being shown live on BBC Two and BBC Two HD. On Saturday 5 April, England face Montenegro (12.45pm programme start) before facing Ukraine on Thursday 8 May.
BBC Radio 5 live will bring all the news of the qualifiers, as will the BBC Sport website. England matches will also be streamed on the BBC Sport website, on desktop, mobiles, tablets and BBC Sport app.
Other live women’s football comes in June as BBC Two and BBC Two HD will broadcast The FA Women’s Cup Final on Sunday 1 June.
The BBC Sport website will also have a twice weekly goals round-up video throughout the WSL season from mid-April with regular match reports, online goal highlights, news and team-by-team previews features.
5 live sports extra can be accessed on digital radio, via bbc.co.uk/5livesportsextra, BBC iPlayer Radio and the BBC Sport website.
