Excitement building ahead of new Women's Super League season

Representatives of the FA Women’s Super League’s (FAWSL) 19 clubs gathered at St George’s Park on Wednesday ahead of the new season, which gets underway on March 23.

The sixth season of the competition will see Chelsea defend their Super League 1 crown, although they have to wait a day before taking on Doncaster Rovers Belles, who will be competing in the top division of Super League for the first time.

WSL 2 winners Reading travel to two-time champions Arsenal for their opening game, while Manchester City, who finished second in the top-flight last season, are at home to Notts County.

Liverpool face Birmingham City in the other match in the opening round of matches in WSL 1. Elsewhere, newly-promoted Sheffield FC will host Durham on March 23 in WSL 2.

Renamed Bristol City, who were relegated from the top division last time out, entertain Yeovil, while London Bees host Watford and March 24 sees Everton play Aston Villa, with Millwall Lionesses away to Oxford United.

England and Arsenal midfielder Jordan Nobbs was at the official season launch and she is raring to go ahead of the new campaign.

"I can't wait for this season to get started now," she told the FA's official website.

"We've had a really good pre-season, especially with our trip to Spain and along with some of the new signings we have made, everyone is getting used to playing together and there seems to be a great spirit already amongst the team.

"A number of our competitors have also made some great signings and so it will be hard to predict who will fare well this season, as each year the competitiveness of the league continues to grow.

"At the end of last season there was a fantastic response after the Women's World Cup and so we hope that fans come out in their masses to support the league again this season."

FA director of football participation and development Kelly Simmons was also enthusiastic about the new season on the back of a successful 2015 campaign that saw attendances rise in the wake of an encouraging display by England at the Women's World Cup.

"This is a pivotal year for The FA WSL as we look to build on the great momentum, awareness and attendances that the league generated in 2015," said Simmons.

"A strong FA WSL will really lay the foundations for success elsewhere in the women's game - from a winning England team to inspiring more girls and women to take up playing football at any level.

"There has been a real excitement in the room today about the new season and I know the players can't wait to get started.

"I'm sure this season will bring more of the exciting, entertaining and quality football that our supporters have come to expect."