'Inspiring' England Women to Show Men How it’s Done in Hunt for World Cup Glory
England’s women will bid to outshine their male counterparts by claiming a place in the quarter final of the FIFA 2011 World Cup, if they overcome Japan tonight.
But success against the Group B leaders will have more riding on it than a place in the final eight – it could spell the beginning of a whole new generation of female sport stars and fans.
The tournament in Germany could play a crucial part in boosting the profile of women’s sport in England. The Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation (WSFF), a national charity, is set to receive up to £73,000 from bookmakers William Hill, should history be made in British women’s sport by England winning the World Cup.
Ahead of tonight’s final group match against Japan, Sue Tibballs, Chief Executive of the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation, said:
“We’re backing Hope Powell’s team all the way – we’ve picked up points from both opening matches and we’re confident England can earn their place in the quarter finals. They’re a fantastic team and are continuing to inspire women all over the country to participate in sport.”
William Hill Media Relations Director, Graham Sharpe, said:
“William Hill is still optimistic that we have yet to see the best of England in this tournament and we expect them to qualify and improve as they respond to the challenges awaiting them. All bets are still very much on!”
Britain’s biggest bookmaker has placed £5,000 worth of bets on behalf of WSFF as follows:
• £2,000 on England to win the tournament
• £1,000 on Kelly Smith to be tournament top scorer
• £1,000 on Kelly Smith to be player of the tournament
• £1,000 that England will not have any player sent off during the tournament
• If all bets are successful the profit will be £73,000
William Hill now make England 33/1 seventh favourites to win the World Cup. They make Japan and France joint 14/1 third favourites and hosts, Germany favourites with even odds. Brazil; 4/1 USA; 4/1 Sweden; 20/1.
To mark the possibility of England’s women securing a place in the quarter finals tonight, WSFF has highlighted the achievements of the country’s men and women in two of the most popular sports, football and cricket, over the last 5 years.
For an interview with Sue Tibballs (WSFF Chief Executive) or for more information including facts and figures on women’s sport and fitness, please contact: media@wsff.org.uk 020 7010 0865.
William Hill has donated £5000 worth of bets to the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation and will place the bets on their behalf as detailed above. If no bets are successful, the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation will still receive the original £5000 charity donation from William Hill.
Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation
The Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation (WSFF) is the charity that works to make sport and physical activity an integral part of life for women and girls and create a nation of active women.
www.wsff.org.uk Twitter @wsff_uk
William Hill
William Hill is the UK's leading bookmaker and one of the most recognised and trusted brands in the gambling industry, providing gaming and betting services across multiple channels: online, on the high street, on the phone and on the move. We have been listed on the London Stock Exchange (WMH.L) since 2002 and employ over 16,900 people in the UK, Ireland, Israel and Bulgaria.
Graham Sharpe, Media Relations Director. T: 020 8918 3731 M: 07803 233702 E: gsharpe@williamhill.co.uk