WSF reception for England women

The ECB have teamed up with the Women’s Sports Foundation to officially launch the start of the England team's Women’s World Cup campaign at a reception in the House of Commons.

The reception takes place on February 28 from 4-6pm in the Jubilee Room and all the players and support staff will be in attendance along with Richard Caborn MP, Minister for Sport, and leading figures from across sport.

The event will recognise what promises to be one of the best years yet for women’s sport, with England bidding for their third World Cup success in South Africa next month.

The tournament sees England play seven group fixtures, starting against Australia on March 22, with the top four sides in the eight-team tournament qualifying for the semi-finals. The final takes place in Johannesburg on April 10.

England also face Australia in the npower women’s Ashes series and the NatWest Women's Series this summer whilst in football, England hosts Women’s Euro 2005 in June and the football team are also attending the reception.

Since the ECB took over women's cricket, the game has never enjoyed such a high level of professional preparation. Undoubtedly, the women's game has also benefited from BSkyB's and Radio Five Live's coverage offering which has increased opportunities to follow the team.

Gill McConway © ECB

Gill McConway, ECB Executive Director for Women's Cricket, recently expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming World Cup, telling ecb.co.uk: “The England women's squad have never before enjoyed this level of professional preparation for an overseas tour.

“2005 will be a memorable year with a World Cup and three formats of the game on show at home in the biggest international programme we have played. There are more girls than ever playing the sport.”

For the Women’s Sports Foundation, the House of Commons reception not only offers an opportunity to wish both teams luck in their tournaments but also signifies the start of intense profile-raising of women's sport, including a week-long exhibition by WSF, the ECB and the Football Association targeted at key decision makers from the political arena.

WSF hope the reception and exhibition will reiterate the importance of getting women and girls active as well as celebrating the success of England's elite performers.

Helen Donohoe of the WSF commented: “We're delighted that the excellence of our elite cricket and football competitors will at last be enjoyed by a television audience.

“We have every chance of achieving great things this summer so we hope the whole of England will be behind the teams.”