FA Backing New English Women’s Football Archive Available for Free Online

The FA is backing the creation of the English Women’s Football Archive (EWFA), a digital public archive project accessible online that will celebrate historic moments and bring to life the history of the women’s game in England for the first time.

The EWFA project, which will be free to access, will catalogue artefacts, photographs and memorabilia in digital format, as well as combining video and audio. Ultimately, it will offer access to the deeper history of the women’s games to a wider audience than ever before.

“This is a vitally important project that we are proud to support,” said Sue Campbell, the FA’s director of women’s football.

“A public archive celebrating the development of the women’s game and the incredible change and growth it has witnessed is of immense cultural and sporting value.

“We know that many people have dedicated considerable time and effort over the years to record the history of the women’s game in England, but to have a centralised digital resource such as this, charting women’s football from its roots right through to the present day will be invaluable.”

The EWFA have put out a call for photographs or videos of any items that could make an important contribution to the archive.

This is not only a very exciting project it is essential, ensuring the development of the women’s game in England is comprehensively recorded as an integral part of this country’s incredible footballing and cultural heritage,” EWFA coordinator Dave Bowler said.

“As we are all currently spending considerably more time at home, now is the perfect time for fans, current and former players, coaches and administrators to check their attics, cupboards and storage for anything they think may make an important contribution to our archive.

“We are also equally keen to hear contributor’s anecdotes, memories and opinions which can help breathe life and meaning into the items we display and we look forward to unearthing some fascinating, insightful stories.”

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