Under the ownership of Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, Wrexham Football Club is making strides in promoting women’s football and expanding the game’s reach. After a recent announcement, Wrexham Women fans and supporters have reason to celebrate as the club gets approval to stream their fixtures. This development initially faced hurdles for the men’s team.
Last season, Wrexham’s co-owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, fought with the Vanarama National League over streaming service options for domestic and international fans. The struggle was marked by social media advocacy and appeals for a change in rules, with Reynolds taking to Twitter to express his frustration with the ban on clubs streaming matches. Eventually, their efforts changed the rules, allowing clubs like Wrexham to expand their fan base through streaming services.
This season, however, the club has made a significant move to support and promote women’s football. In response to popular demand, amplified by the recent “Welcome to Wrexham” docuseries, Wrexham Football Club announced that they would be streaming all Wrexham Women fixtures not broadcast on TV via iPlayer.
This decision to stream the women’s fixtures was met with immense fanfare and excitement. It follows a solid start to the season for the women’s team despite a recent defeat to Cardiff City Women. Wrexham Women enjoyed an impressive start to their new top-flight journey, drawing with Swansea City and defeating Barry Town United.
Wrexham’s home matches for the women’s team have been characterized by passionate and ardent support, much like the men’s side. The recent game against Cardiff City Women was watched by a crowd of over 700 fans, surpassing the attendance of any other match over the weekend.
Wrexham’s zealous fan base extends far beyond the borders of their small working-class town. Fans from places as distant as New Zealand and Missouri have tuned in to follow the women’s team’s journey. Last season, over 15,000 viewers watched Wrexham Women’s promotion play-off victory on YouTube.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have been unwavering in their commitment to making Wrexham “the best women’s team in Wales in the shortest period practically possible.” They’ve taken significant steps towards achieving this goal, implementing a semi-professional operation following last season’s promotion and pushing the standards of women’s top-flight football in Wales.
Wrexham became the first team to train three days a week and utilize the same facilities and sponsors as their men’s team. They have also been prominently featuring the women’s team in their award-winning docuseries, dedicating episodes to the women’s promotion campaign.
In a significant show of support, the club has now made every fixture of the women’s team available for streaming this season via the club’s iPlayer account. This initiative is expected to provide a platform for fans to follow the team closely and engage with women’s football.
The recent developments highlight the club’s commitment to promoting women’s football and the proactive role of Reynolds and McElhenney in expanding and enhancing the fan experience for Wrexham supporters, regardless of the team they support. Unlike the challenges they faced last season regarding streaming rights, the co-owners have successfully paved the way for Wrexham Women’s matches to be easily accessible for fans, making it a significant step forward in their journey toward excellence in women’s football.
Originally posted 2023-10-13 17:54:25.
