A GROUND-BREAKING cash injection should boost women’s football in England after the FA announced that SSE will be the new sponsors of the Women's FA Cup.

A seven-figure sum will be committed to the women’s game to create a UK-wide programme of girls-only football activity.

The four-year deal means the final, which takes place at Wembley Stadium for the first time on August 1, will be called the SSE Women’s FA Cup Final.

The partnership between the FA and SSE will help support the continued work to transform the grassroots women’s game.

FA Board Member and Chair of the Inclusion Advisory Board, Heather Rabbatts said: “The FA is committed to ensuring women’s football gets the status and investment it deserves.

“The buzz of anticipation around the FIFA Women’s World Cup is testimony to the appeal of the game.

“Similarly at grassroots, we as an organisation are committed to ensuring there are access points for girls and women to enjoy the game across all levels and abilities.

“Dreaming of playing at Wembley in the FA Cup Final can now be a reality for girls, too.”

Fittingly, on the eve of England’s World Cup campaign in Canada, more than 100 girls aged 7-11 from schools across the country descended on Wembley to enjoy the day a coaching session, tour of the stadium and a Q&A with senior players.

Former England international Rachel Brown-Finnis was among those in attendance, and she was joined at Wembley by SSE Next Generation athlete and Blackburn Rovers forward Georgia Stanway.

Energy providers SSE are the new title sponsors of the SSE Women’s FA Cup, investing in the provision and profile of girls’ and women’s football as part of a ground-breaking four-year deal.