To celebrate Women’s Football Weekend, Reading FC will hand over the social reigns to Reading Women.
From Friday 12th to Sunday 14th November, Reading Football Club will come together to celebrate Women’s Football Weekend, a weekend dedicated to highlighting the work that has gone into promoting the women’s game and what more can be done to continue the development.
This will be the third-ever weekend dedicated to the women’s game and will be the first broadcasted live on Sky Sports alongside BBC and The FA Player.
The weekend presents the opportunity for fans to be able to enjoy hours of action from the comfort of their own home, but also for us to continue to welcome supporters back into stadiums, following a year of behind-closed-doors affairs.
This season, fans are encouraged to go and support their team in person, wherever they’re playing this weekend, to take in some top tier action, whether that’s in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League, where great entertainment and some of the world’s best players will be on display, or further down the pyramid where players participate with clubs embedded in their local community.
The weekend will host some fiercely fought derbies and developing rivalries in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League with matches spread out across the weekend for fans to enjoy.
Kelly Simmons, the FA’s Director of the Women’s Professional Game said: “Women’s Football Weekend is such a significant event within our season because it’s an opportunity to really showcase the very best of our sport.
“But this isn’t just about the top of the pyramid. Women’s Football Weekend is for everyone and I hope those at grassroots level also see new fans coming to their matches and really embracing the spirit of what the weekend is all about – our mutual love of the game.”
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Reading will be taking a trip to West Ham United as they look to build on back-to-back leagues wins against Second City sides Aston Villa and Birmingham City, who succumbed to 3-0 beatings from the Royals.
As well as action on the pitch, there is plenty to get involved with off it, as we’ll be sharing plenty of content online, made more accessible to the masses as Reading Women take over the men’s Instagram social platform across the weekend.
From 12pm on Friday 12 November ‘til 8pm on Sunday 14 November, fans can expect to see behind-the-scenes footage, player interviews and more!
If this wasn’t enough, we also want fans to get involved with the signed shirt competition shouting about how much you love the beautiful game – more information on entering can be found here.
Reading Football Club is proud to be one of a handful of clubs who share their training facilities with the first team, women’s and academy, as well as dual-usage of the Select Car Leasing Stadium, and now their social media channels for a one-off takeover weekend.
Reading manager Veljko Paunovic said, "Football is for everyone. It is a language spoken across the world - a bridge closing the gaps between cultures, continents, race, religion, age and gender. In recent years, the women's game has started to receive the attention, recognition and plaudits it truly deserves.
"This weekend, we take a break from a hectic fixture list during an international break for the men - but Reading Football Club doesn't rest! I'd like to encourage as many Royals fans as possible to show their support for Kelly Chambers and her side as they travel to West Ham in the WSL this weekend. A great result in Birmingham on Sunday...now we're all backing you to make it three wins on the bounce in the WSL! Come on URRZZZ!"
Kelly Chambers, women’s manager:
“Women’s Football Weekend is a special time during the season, as it’s an opportunity to shout about the milestones we have all achieved in the sport from the development of grassroots football all the way up to the professional game. This weekend will be made even more special with the re-introduction of fans back into the stadiums, as without them, football just wouldn’t be what it is today.
“Returning to playing our home games at Reading this season, we’re dedicated to supporting our local clubs and communities to ensure football is accessible to anyone of any age, and we’ve seen such a positive engagement with our sister club scheme working with clubs to provide unique and unforgettable experiences. The increased exposure that Sky Sports has given the game new momentum to go on and achieve some new heights, reach new audiences, and set new records.”
To watch Reading Women in action this weekend, you can head to the West Ham ticket office to get your match ticket. Alternatively, you can watch all the coverage of our 3pm kick-off on the FA Player, which is available here.