FA Scores Womens Football Partnership With Nike
The Football Association (FA) has announced a multi-year partnership with Nike, which will focus on the continuing growth of women’s football.
In a deal intended to underline Nike’s is commitment to progressing women’s sport, the American sportswear and equipment giant become the official ball supplier of the Barclays Women’s Super League (BWSL), Barclays Women’s Championship (BWC) and The FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup.
The BWSL is the highest league of women’s football in England, featuring twelve fully professional teams and run by the FA.
England’s home-tournament victory in the UEFA Women’s EUROs this summer signalled an historic moment for women’s football in the country, with attendances and viewing figures hitting record highs. The national governing body and Nike will now be hoping that this pique in interest can be translated to the domestic game.
In a statement, Nike said that ‘supporting elite football is critical to Nike’s efforts as they look to inspire and open up opportunities to current and future generations of women and girls to participate in the sport.’
Whitney Malkiel, Vice President, Global Women’s, Nike, said, “The energy in women’s football in England right now has never been higher as we enter into this partnership with The FA at such a critical moment in our long-standing efforts to help keep growing the women’s game.”
Nike has been a partner of The FA since 2013 and has provided investment across all levels during that period. This has included growing the game at grassroots level to working with elite athletes and teams on the biggest stage. Now, Nike adds women’s football to its growing relationship with English football’s governing body.
Navin Singh, The FA’s Commercial Director, said, “I’m delighted that we are able to expand our relationship with Nike and have one of the most recognised sports brands in the world partnered with the Barclays Women’s Super League, Barclays Women’s Championship and FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup.
“Nike continuously push the boundaries when it comes to investment in women and giving them the opportunity to succeed, which is exactly what we strive to do in the women’s game. This is a really positive step for both parties, and I look forward to us working with them going forward.”
To kick off the partnership, and to highlight Nike’s commitment to deliver innovative solutions to the game, Nike Flight ball technology will be introduced to the BWSL, BWC and Continental Tyres League Cup for the first time when the new season begins in the BWC on August 20th and the BWSL on 10th September.
The Aerowsculpt technology uses features on the surface of the ball to help air move around it more easily. That means less wobble in the air and a more stable, predictable flight path. 3-D printed ink overlay fine tunes ball flight to help players hit targets. All Conditions Control technology will add a grippy texture in both wet and dry conditions.
