Brighton & Hove Albion manager Hope Powell says that while the increased television coverage of the Barclays FA Women’s Super League this season is good news, spectators still have a big role to play by attending live matches.
This season has seen the start Sky Sports’ three-year broadcasting deal of the Barclays FA Women’s Super League while games are also being shown live on mainstream BBC channels for the very first time.
The increased coverage now means that more fans can watch the Barclays FA Women’s Super League than ever before, however, Brighton & Hove Albion manager Powell says that while the broadcasting is great for the game, clubs still need the backing of fans inside stadia.
“It’s fantastic for people who can’t get along to games to watch women’s football;” Powell said. “The opportunity to watch the games throughout the course of the day is fantastic if you are a real fan of women’s football.
“I would say though that we would still like fans to come and watch live games. Being present in the stadium is so important for our sport.
“It’s ground-breaking isn’t it, that you are able to watch games on the BBC, live quality football where women are playing, who would have thought that 10 or 15 years ago? For the likes of my mum, who can’t always get there, it is great that she can watch the games from her armchair.
“I must say that it is still important for the sport and for the game that the fans come out and support the players on the pitch.”
The fans returned in their numbers last weekend with more than 2,200 spectators cheering on Brighton & Hove Albion to a 2-0 victory over West Ham United at The Amex Stadium. This weekend sees The Seagulls take on Birmingham City at another large stadium in St Andrew’s and Powell believes that her side’s outing at The Amex should stand them in good stead.
She said “I think that we have got that experience of playing at The Amex, I’m hoping that it won’t be daunting at all and they’ll just go out there and try and play.
“It’s another opportunity to play at a well-known stadium and hopefully, that can inspire them to perform, that’s all we can ask for.”
Brighton & Hove Albion’s Barclays FA Women’s Super League fixture at Birmingham City kicks-off at 2pm on Sunday.
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