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During my introduction to Guardian Women’s Football Weekly on Tuesday mornings, we prioritize answering your questions. Whether you are a regular part of our crew, a new member, or haven’t yet listened to our top-rated podcast, we warmly welcome you. Your opinions and questions are integral to our discussions, making you just as much a part of the panel as our diverse group of women’s football experts. Each week, we rotate and bring together experts to have conversations about the latest events in women’s football, wherever it may be played across the globe.
In the summer of 2022, my colleague Suzy Wrack and I were approached to start the Guardian Women’s Football Weekly podcast. We were thrilled and eagerly awaited the Women’s Euros, knowing it was an opportunity for the Lionesses to shine. Our prediction turned out to be accurate, as the tournament not only highlighted the talents of Sarina Wiegman’s team, but also brought attention to women’s football as a whole. This led to a surge of new fans, and even now, after twenty months, our audience continues to grow along with the sport’s tremendous success. However, there is still much progress to be made, and each week we strive to cover all aspects of the game, including the various challenges it faces.
Despite the tough subjects we sometimes have to discuss, every podcast we record is great fun. To date, my favourite episode was recorded in a Premier Inn, around the corner from Wembley Stadium, approximately three hours after England’s historic win over Germany in the European Championship final. I had been pitchside and witnessed the players making snow angels in ticker tape, Jill Scott handed me a beer in the tunnel and I recorded the players running from the dressing room on the way to gatecrash Wiegman’s post-match press conference.
After enjoying a glass of rum and coke (I promise, just one – okay, maybe another one on the way), my friends Suzy, Ceylon, and I reluctantly left the BoxPark party to meet up with Jonathan Liew, a writer for the Guardian, at the hotel. Our producers Lucy and Chessie had arranged for us to record in a “cozy” room, with microphones set up on the shared desk between Ceylon and me, while Suzy and Jonny amusingly lounged on either side of a double bed propped up by pillows. We had beer, candy, chips, and, most importantly, Mini Babybels. What followed was an hour of laughter, pure happiness, and complete chaos. The four of us relived our memories of an unforgettable final and tournament, along with other friends from around the world whom we had never met in person but had felt connected to during those crazy five weeks.
Audio creates a personal connection and makes us feel bonded not only to each other, but also to all of our listeners. By listening, you are welcoming us into your home, car, or on your walk and we strive to be courteous and provide good company, just like a good guest would.
I am confident that you are gaining a deeper understanding of the game from our impressive group of experts who join us each week to analyze and discuss the most recent outcomes, strategies, stories, and news. But it’s not just their insights that you receive, but also their unique personalities. From Sophie Downey and her hats to the love-hate dynamic between Marva Kreel and Moyo Abiona regarding Everton and Manchester United, to Anita Asante’s tactical expertise, to Chris Paouros and her dedication to equality (and talent for songwriting). And how can we forget Suzy, whose talents extend far beyond her love for Arsenal and skill for lino drawing? Is there anything this woman cannot do?
We are very much aware that we have a diverse group of individuals joining us, ranging from longtime followers of women’s football to new enthusiasts who are still learning about its rich history and inclusivity. We are also thrilled to have a global reach and are proud of it. We are learning about football in your country while you are following the sport in ours and other places around the world – spreading the love is a top priority for us. This is why I would also like to show some love for our podcast.
When our podcast debuted nearly two years ago, it was one of the few dedicated to women’s football. Now, we have joined a larger group of podcasts that share the same passion for the sport. It’s exciting to see the rise in popularity and the diverse perspectives offered by podcasts like Counter Pressed, The Offside Rule, The Women’s Football Show, and many others. We are all part of a supportive community that can work together to elevate the game.
I am thrilled to introduce this podcast, and as we continue to expand and attract new listeners, we do so as a united women’s football community that is resilient in the face of challenges. Despite pessimistic forecasts being a common theme in Women’s Football Week, I foresee a future where women’s football experiences a setback and the podcast community dwindles to nothing. Who would have any interest in a £1 billion industry with uninteresting participants? Thankfully, our predictions are consistently proven wrong.
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Recommended listening
The most recent episode of Women’s Football Weekly highlights the NWSL as the 2024 season commences in March. Suzy, Megan Swanick, and former manager of the Portland Thorns, Mark Parsons, join me as we discuss the latest news. You can listen to the episode here or on your preferred podcast platform.
Get in touch
If you have any inquiries or feedback regarding our newsletters, please contact us at [email protected]. Just a friendly reminder that Moving the Goalposts is published twice a week, every Tuesday and Thursday.
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Source: theguardian.com
