It was announced today that Boots UK have signed up to a three-year partnership to support the women’s game across all five home nations.
The link up with the UK’s largest pharmacy-led health and beauty retailer, will run for the period including the upcoming 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France through to the 2021 UEFA Women’s EURO in England. The partnership will focus on telling the stories of some of the inspirational role models represented in women’s football to inspire active participation from young girls and women.
During one of the most exciting periods for the women’s game, the partnership marks a unique partnership for women’s football across England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Boots believe football has the power to boost girls’ confidence. That’s why we’re a proud partner of women’s football. #GoalPower
https://t.co/QXxnIJb36g pic.twitter.com/9dGEcKJLiE— Boots (@BootsUK) April 2, 2019
Research carried out by The FA found that 1.7m girls and women aged five and over partake in football every month and women’s football has never been more popular.
Awareness and participation in women’s football has a powerful impact on the confidence of girls and women, with 80% of female footballers saying they feel more confident as a result of playing for their team.
The FA’s recently appointed chief executive and current chief commercial and football development officer, Mark Bullingham, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Boots as the Official Partner of the England women’s team in what is a hugely exciting time for women’s football.
“It’s important that we partner with brands that share our passion for raising the profile of the sport and the ability to help us do so.
“I look forward to seeing us work together to make The Lionesses household names and inspiring the next generation of girls to take up the game.”
Ian Maxwell, Chief Executive of the Scottish FA added: “Improved health and wellbeing is one of the major benefits of participation in football so having one of our senior national teams partner with Boots, an organisation that also recognises and promotes these values, is a huge boost. We have seen a marked increase in interest in the Scotland Women’s National Team since qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup and partnerships like this will only enhance our ability to grow the women’s game in Scotland. We are looking forward to a successful partnership with Boots for the next three years.”
Jonathan Ford, CEO of FA Wales added: “This is the biggest sponsorship deal to date for women’s sport in Wales. We want to partner with brands who can support us in raising awareness around the women’s game in Wales, to challenge perceptions and come on the journey with us to reach our ambitious target of 20,000 girls playing in Wales by 2024.”
Boots UK’s marketing director, Helen Normoyle, said: “It’s so exciting to see how women’s football has evolved over the last few years.
“Boots has always had a strong heritage of supporting women.
“In fact, we even founded our very own women’s sports team as early as 1894.
“Through our new partnership with The FA, we are excited to give these inspirational women the chance to tell their stories, to help encourage other women to experience the transformative confidence sport can bring.
“Boots believes everyone has a right to feel good. Because of that, we’re huge supporters of women’s football, and the incredible impact it can have on improving health and confidence. That’s why we want to be part of elevating the women’s game and are proud to be supporting the five national women’s teams across Britain and Ireland for the next three years.”
