13 Mar London And Essex Teams Join Forces For Women’s Partnership
A group of London and Essex based sports clubs have announced their collaboration as part of a new Women’s Elite Sport Partnership.
The five clubs, comprising Barclays FA Women’s Super League side West Ham United, Vitality Superleague team London Pulse, cricket side Sunrisers (along with partners Essex Cricket and Middlesex Cricket), and Women’s Basketball League sides Essex Rebels and London Lions, will aim to create new opportunities for clubs to work together in a bid to sustain the development of women’s sport in the UK.
The group say they have formed the partnership following in-depth analysis of the challenges facing women in sport, They aim to progress elite women’s sport ‘in a sustainable fashion’, working together around ‘engagement, performance and commercial activity’.
“Despite 2020 being a really challenging year for sports across the globe, women’s football is gaining huge momentum and we are looking to build on this in 2021, through this fantastic partnership,” said Jack Sullivan, Managing Director, West Ham United.
“The collaboration is a great opportunity for us to help each other grow and in turn, we hope that the fans of each team will support us all on this journey. Over time, we hope to welcome even more elite teams across England, giving everyone the same unique opportunity to work collaboratively together.
“The club and I are really excited about this partnership and look forward to growing women’s sport further, as we look towards the future.”
Sam Bird, CEO and Director of Netball, London Pulse, added: “Our vision for London Pulse is to lead the explosive growth of netball for all in London and the South East – connecting with communities and clubs to play, watch and enjoy our sport at all levels.
“We are committed to finding and developing talented athletes through our performance pathway to the Vitality Netball Superleague and beyond.
“This collaboration with fellow elite women’s teams is an exciting step to share best practice, support each other and aid visibility of female sporting icons in our region.”
The Sunrisers were formed as one of eight regional English cricket hub teams competing in the new Women’s Elite Domestic Structure.
Danni Warren, regional director of women’s cricket for Sunrisers, said: “The creation of this Women’s Elite Sport Partnership gives us an incredible platform to showcase and develop female athletes across several sports, harnessing our collective desire to provide an opportunity for female sport to thrive over the coming years.”
Away from women’s sport, West Ham United are also flying high in the Premier League and have a realistic chance of grabbing a European spot in the division this season, after recently beating the likes of Leeds United, Tottenham Hotspur and Sheffield United, along with narrow defeats to both Manchester City and Manchester United.
Those recent victories have propelled David Moyes’ side up to 5th place in the Premier League table, which is a dramatic turn around after spending the majority of last season fighting off relegation at the bottom of the division. However, thanks to some good transfer business this season, including the loan signing of Man Utd’s Jesse Lingard, the Hammers have got their sights on the top six and only find themselves a couple of points outside the top four.
In the latest Premier League odds, they’re currently 4/1 to finish in the top four and can be backed as big as 5/6 to finish in the top six come the end of the season and therefore qualify for at least the Europa League.
At the top the table, Manchester City are running away with the title despite slipping up against Manchester United at the Etihad most recently. Some bookies have already paid out on them winning the title, while others still have them in the betting at 1/500, with Manchester United priced at 150/1 to catch City before the end of the season and pip them to what looks to be a certain title victory for Pep Guardiola’s men.
