UNDERHILL TO HOST WSL CUP FINAL

The Football Association is pleased to announce that Barnet FC will be the venue for the 2012 FA WSL Continental Cup Final. The final takes place on Wednesday 10 October and will be shown exclusively live on ESPN. The match kicks off at 7pm.

The 2012 Final is a re-run of last year’s inaugural Final between Arsenal Ladies and Birmingham City Ladies. In 2011, Arsenal completed a domestic league and cup treble with a 4-1 victory over Birmingham in the Continental Cup Final to bring to an end a historic first WSL season. However, this year Birmingham have already won The FA Women’s Cup and the Blues will be looking forward to another chance at silverware in the crowning match of the WSL season.

The Continental Cup Final will mark a fitting end to what has been a massive year for women’s football in this country. Team GB Women’s performances at the 2012 Olympics, alongside record breaking crowds, huge TV audiences and positive media coverage, has helped raise the profile of the game in England and gain new audiences in the process. 

Women’s football is now the third largest team sport in the country behind men’s football and men’s cricket and with England Women’s qualification to the 2013 Euro Championship in Sweden almost secure, next year promises to be another great year to help build momentum and interest for the game.

The Chairman of Barnet FC, Tony Kleanthous, said of the announcement: “We have a very proud history of women’s football here at Barnet FC and we are delighted to be hosting The FA WSL Continental Cup Final at Underhill next month.

“The Final is the show-piece event in the WSL calendar and we are all looking forward to a competitive match between two of the best teams in the country. The encounter should be a great advert for the sport in what has truly been a memorable year for women’s football after Team GB’s exploits. We hope fans and families come out in force in and show their support at Barnet.”

Guy Frobisher, Marketing Director at Continental Tyres, added: “This is the second of a two year agreement for Continental to title sponsor the WSL League Cup. We have been so pleased with our involvement with the women’s game in general and the Continental Cup in particular that we have just extended our support for a further four years. In addition to the match itself we will also be bringing The FA WSL Girls Football Roadshow to Barnet FC which will provide girls of all ages and ability the opportunity to experience football through interactive games, coaching, skills and drills, including the Conti warm up programme, and, of course, the chance to meet some of their heroes in person. If last year is anything to go by the Continental Cup Final will again be a wonderful sporting occasion and a fantastic family day.”