FA announces 5-year plan for women's football

Published Oct. 24, 2012 12:37 p.m. ET

foxsports

Galvanized by the success of women's football at the London Olympics, the Football Association has announced a five-year plan to increase the popularity of the game so it can overtake cricket as the second most-played sport in England.

More than 70,000 fans watched Britain beat Brazil in a group match at the London Games. Women's football is currently the fourth most popular sport in England in terms of participation behind men's football, cricket and rugby union.

The FA's proposals will allow the Women's Super League to expand into two divisions from 2014 and women's football will also welcome a new head of development.

FA chairman David Bernstein said on Wednesday that ''women's football is the area with the most potential for growth in the nation's favorite game.''