BARCLAYS WSL AND NATIONAL FOOTBALL MUSEUM ANNOUNCE NEW COLLABORATION TO INCREASE WOMEN’S FOOTBALL MEMORABILIA REPRESENTATION

The Football Association [The FA] has announced a new collaboration between the Barclays Women’s Super League and National Football Museum to increase the representation of women’s football memorabilia at the venue.

This new commitment is another landmark moment for the women’s professional game and comes on the eve of the new 2023/24 Barclays Women’s Super League season, which kicks off this weekend.

At present, the National Football Museum has a limited selection of memorabilia from stars of the Barclays Women’s Super League, both past and present, which have been donated by individual players in recent years.

However, with the support of The FA and the Barclays Women’s Super League clubs, the National Football Museum is committed to growing their collection of women’s memorabilia in the coming seasons.

Ahead of the opening weekend of the new campaign, each of the division’s 12 clubs have made a donation or loan that will initially form a temporary exhibition to celebrate the Barclays Women’s Super League’s highly anticipated return before being integrated permanently into the museum.

Items featuring in the display include match-worn shirts and gloves as well as trophies and medals from throughout the league’s history.

Speaking regarding the collaboration, The FA’s Director of Women’s Football, Baroness Sue Campbell, said: “The women’s professional game has never been more prominent in society, and it is so vital that we celebrate and showcase those who have played their part in getting it to where it is.

“It’s fantastic that the National Football Museum are committed to helping grow the women’s game in this way. The museum is an iconic landmark of British football history, and having representation of the Barclays Women’s Super League, and the wider women’s game, on display there is hugely important.

“We’re currently living in an era where we are seeing the greatest of the women’s game thrive and make their own impact – and history is being made right now.

“We’re all very excited to see this collaboration flourish over the coming years, with more pieces of women’s football history taking centre stage for future generations to enjoy.”

National Football Museum’s Chief Executive Officer, Tim Desmond, added: “There has never been a more pertinent time to reinforce our commitment to women’s football and our aim to achieve 50% representation across the museum, archives, and Hall of Fame.

“Our collaboration with The FA builds on our existing programming, enabling us to secure valuable and iconic objects for the Football Heritage Collection, and help tell the important story of the female game now, and as a lasting legacy to inspire generations to come.”

In line with this collaboration, the National Football Museum will also host the 2023 Barclays Women’s Super League Hall of Fame announcement in November, where three more names will be inducted into the prestigious circle.