Boost for Brighton if FA wins women's football tournament bid

England Ladies playing at the AMEX against Montenegro in 2014 image by James Boyes licensed by Creative Commons

The AMEX Community Stadium is one of eight, including Wembley, listed as part of the bid to showcase the women’s game in the home of football.

England was the only country to submit its bid on time, but it will still face scrutiny from UEFA.

Last year the Lionesses reached the semi-finals of the championships in The Netherlands, reaching a global television audience of 165 million.

A report going before Brighton and Hove City Council’s Tourism, Development and Culture Committee on Thursday September 27, describes the event as an opportunity for the city to ‘benefit from promotion and visibility’.

The cost to the authority is expected to come to approximately £215,000, covering promotion and marketing, fan engagement, staff support, traffic management and city dressing.

A further £10,000 is proposed for event safety, with 85 per cent of this paid by central government.

However, councillors are advised the city will benefit from funding from the FA for participation programmes and potential investment.

The tournament is described as a way to promote the women’s and girls’ game in the city.

This would include: SSE Wildcat Centres that showcase the benefits of participation in football to women and girls; Albion in the Community – Female Football Development Programme; Girls’ Football Festival; and promotion of opportunities for women in coaching, refereeing and administration.

The FA has committed £100,000 a year from 2019-2021 for host cities to develop football participation programmes for women and girls.

Ideas include developing ‘fans of tomorrow’ programmes and encouraging volunteering at matches for mascots, flag bearers and welcomers.

Hundreds of mini-pitches with support facilities are proposed for all host cities, with the FA paying hosts between £100,000 and £130,000 to develop them.

The Tourism, Culture and Development Committee meets in public at Hove Town Hall on Thursday September 27 from 4pm.

Sarah Booker-Lewis is the Local Democracy Reporter for Brighton & Hove.

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