England Women’s Under-15s international, and SSE Next Gen athlete, Maya Le Tissier will present the SSE Women’s FA Cup at Saturday’s Final between Arsenal and Chelsea.
Le Tissier, the first Guernsey-born player to represent the Three Lions since her uncle Matt, will become the first person under 16 to present a major trophy at Wembley.
England Women’s boss, and last year’s trophy presenter, Mark Sampson, said: “I was incredibly proud to present the trophy last year and it will be a truly great honour for Maya. I’m sure she’ll enjoy the occasion.
Arsenal v Chelsea
SSE Women's FA Cup Final
2pm, Saturday 14 May 2016
Wembley Stadium connected by EE
Tickets priced £15 adults, kids go free
“We want to get more girls playing, watching and being involved in the game and this is another step in the right direction.”
Le Tissier presenting the trophy is the latest joint initiative from SSE and The FA to improve participation in women’s football following the launch of a new girls-only programme earlier this year.
The programme will provide funding for existing football clubs who wish to start holding girls-only coaching sessions and build new and competitive playing squads for girls between the ages of 5 and 14.
Le Tissier is one of SSE’s Next Generation athletes, a programme that provides young sportspeople with funding and expert mentoring in a bid to help them fulfil their potential.
Arsenal midfielder Leah Williamson is also part of the programme and will hope to add another winners’ medal to her list of achievements under the scheme.
SSE managing director of corporate affairs Alan Young said: “SSE is incredibly proud to support women’s football and be an integral part of the huge progress the game is making.
“Maya’s role is a historic move for the competition and will hopefully inspire the thousands of girls watching around the country to get involved in the game.”
Holders Chelsea are targeting a second successive SSE Women’s FA Cup crown as they take on 13-time winners Arsenal in front of what is expected to be a record crowd.
