This coming weekend, 23rd and 24th March, marks a memorable moment in the sporting calendar where elite level women’s sport from all three of our national sports (cricket, football and rugby) will play at the same time, in what is being dubbed ‘Women’s Sport Weekend’.
Key women’s sport fixtures will be taking place on home soil and abroad, including: The England Women’s cricket team play match three in their series down in New Zealand, in which star bowler (and massive Everton fan) Sophie Ecclestone will be aiming to help secure victory for the team ahead of a dual series on home soil against Pakistan in May, and New Zealand’s return visit to England in June and July.
The WSL’s Women’s Football Weekend this year features the Merseyside derby, in which Everton will aim to do the double over Liverpool following their away win at Anfield earlier this season. While the Red Roses rugby team look to defend their crown taking on Italy in the first match of this year’s Women’s Six Nations.
With next level women’s sport creating a spectacular weekend of action for fans across the board, some of the players have shared their messages of good luck and support for their fellow athletes, including die-hard Everton fan Sophie Ecclestone with Everton Women’s captain Megan Finnigan returning the favour.
England Women’s world No. 1 IT20 and ODI bowler, Sophie Ecclestone, said: “I’m really excited to see three major events for women’s sport taking place on the same weekend. I’d like to say a massive ‘good luck’ to the England Women’s rugby union team who kick off their Six Nations campaign against Italy, we’re all rooting for you.
“Women’s sport continues to reach new heights and it’s going to be next level this year. We’ve seen huge growth across all women’s sport and together we are all stronger. It’s great to see big crowds, filling major stadiums and coverage increasing across the board. “I’d also like to say all the best to Megan, Lucy and Everton Women playing in the Merseyside derby on this weekend, up the Toffees!”
Everton Women’s captain Megan Finnigan and goal-scorer in their 1-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield in October 2023: “It’s a really exciting weekend for women’s sport and it shows just how far it has come in the last few years. All eyes will be on the female athletes in action and hopefully it can be a positive weekend for the England Women’s cricket and rugby teams as well as the Blue half of Merseyside – which I’m sure Evertonian Sophie Ecclestone will be hoping for too!
“The growth in women’s sport has been incredible – but at the same time there is still work to be done. The people who have come before us have paved the way and we have to build on that, keep pushing boundaries and continue that growth. We are trying to push for equality, that’s what we see as one of our purposes as women footballers.
“I want to wish the best to the England Women’s Rugby team as they defend their crown at the upcoming six nations campaign and also to the England Women’s cricket team as they begin their T20 series in New Zealand. As Everton captain, I’ve got to say that hopefully Sophie can do the Blues proud and help her teammates to a series win. To all members of both squads, good luck – and hopefully both teams are successful and make even more noise for women in sport over here!”
Everton Women’s midfielder Lucy Hope, goal-scorer in Everton’s 2019 victory over Liverpool at Anfield, said: “The growth across women’s sport means girls now have female role models – and what an opportunity for those girls to watch their role models during such a big weekend for women’s football, cricket and rugby. Now that women’s sport has become very visible, young girls can dream of being a professional in sport.
“Times have certainly changed since I was a little girl. Girls were the odd ones out and it was only boys running around the playground and the gym hall, but today there are more girls getting access to sport. There are so many girls getting involved in sport in general, whether that be football, rugby, cricket – there are so many sports out there now that girls have access to which is great to see.
“Women’s sport has come a long way, it’s changing but we can’t stop there. As professional women athletes, we have to use our platform and voices so that women’s sport continues on the upward trajectory and with a spotlight on women’s sport during this weekend, it gives us an opportunity to do that both on and off the field.”
Experience next level international women’s sport on home soil this summer – tickets for the England Women’s series against Pakistan Women and New Zealand Women are now available. Secure your seats at ecb.co.uk/tickets/England
With thanks to Space Between
