BBC Radio 5 Live has signed a deal with the Football Association to make the radio station the home of live women’s football for the new season.
5 Live Sports Extra will have live commentary throughout the FA Women’s Super League (WSL) season, starting on April 16th.
There will be a minimum of 16 live game commentaries on Sports Extra, with additional coverage on Radio 5 Live. Current WSL players will join the commentary team and the MediaCityUK-based station will have extensive access to clubs, including interviews with players and coaches.
“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,” said Kelly Simmons, director of the National Game and Women’s Football at the FA.
There will also be television coverage, with The Women’s Football Show airing on BBC Three later this month. Jacqui Oatley will present 8 editions of the show throughout the season.
“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 Women’s Super League season is set to be the best yet and strengthens the impressive line up of live sport we already have on sports extra,” added controller of BBC Radio 5 live, Jonathan Wall.
