Great Britain and Northern Ireland women's Olympic football team
Encyclopedia
The Great Britain and Northern Ireland women's Olympic football team (also known as the Great Britain) represents the United Kingdom
in the women's football tournament
at the Olympic Games
. There is normally no team representing the United Kingdom at women's football: rather, separate teams compete for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
. With the 2012 Summer Olympics
scheduled to take place in London
, however, an Olympic football team will be created to take the automatic qualifying place of the hosts. Following an agreement between the British Olympic Association
(B.O.A.) and The Football Association
(F.A.), which normally operates the England team, the FA will select the British team, which may include players from across the United Kingdom.
(SFA) was founded in 1873. The third national football association, the Football Association of Wales
was founded in 1876 and a fourth, the Irish Football Association
, (IFA), was founded in 1880.
Football therefore developed with separate national teams representing separate associations for each of the countries of the United Kingdom
and no 'United Kingdom football association' was ever formed. Whilst a team selected by the FA
, sometimes including players from outside of England, did represent the UK at men's Olympic football between 1908 and 1972, the UK had stopped entering teams into the Olympic football tournament
by the time of the first women's football competition at the 1996 Games
.
, the United Kingdom had the right to enter a team in the football tournament as host nation. The British Olympic Association
stated it would enter a football team, but the Scottish Football Association
refused even to attend meetings at which the Home Nations
were to discuss the possibility and the Football Association of Wales
withdrew from the negotiations. In October 2007 the Irish Football Association
(the association for Northern Ireland) also announced that they would not take part in a unified team, leaving the English FA as the only association willing to take part. It was reported that the other associations feared the loss of their privileged voting position within the International Football Association Board
.
Having reached the quarter-finals of the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup, England qualified for the Olympic tournament, as they had in 1996. However, they were unable to take their place at the 2008 Games in Beijing
after the national football associations failed to reach an agreement on whether they could play. They were replaced in the tournament by Sweden
. Nevertheless, the BOA decided that a women's team would compete in London 2012.
Following an initial announcement in May 2009 of a compromise, in which the FA would select a team of only English players to compete at London, an FA statement in June 2011 claimed that after discussions with all British football associations and the BOA that they would enter a team selected from across the United Kingdom. Although the announcement angered the other British football associations, who claimed not to have been consulted on the decision, the Scottish FA admitted that it would have no grounds for preventing Scottish players from competing in the team. In November 2011 the Professional Footballers' Association
had to warn the Scottish, Welsh and Irish FA's against trying to "intimidate" players into not taking part.
In June 2011 Arsenal Ladies
striker Julie Fleeting
, Scotland's record goalscorer, ruled herself out of contention. She concurred with the opinion of her father Jim—the Scottish FA's director of football development—that participation may "jeopardise" the Scottish national team. Fleeting's team mate for club and country Kim Little
took the opposite view: "I don't see why anyone would want to stop a player from playing at a massive tournament like the Olympics, it's the biggest sporting event ever. If I get the opportunity I'll grab it with both hands – I would definitely play." Fellow Scots Rachel Corsie
and Jennifer Beattie
also expressed interest, as well as Everton
's Welsh winger Gwennan Harries
.
In October 2011 Hope Powell
was appointed head coach of the women's team.
. London 2012: FA ponders Team GB Olympic celebration games BBC Sport. 26-10-11. Accessed 10-11-11 These matches must not take place at venues which will be used during the Olympics tournament. Villa Park
in Birmingham
has been suggested as a likely venue, with the both friendlies taking place as part of a 'double-header' with matches from the men's Olympic team
.
During the Olympic tournament, Great Britain will compete at the following times and venues:
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in the women's football tournament
Football at the Summer Olympics
Association football, usually known simply as football or soccer, has been included in every Olympiad except 1896 and 1932 as a men's competition sport. Women's football was added to the official programme in 1996.-Early history:...
at the Olympic Games
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
. There is normally no team representing the United Kingdom at women's football: rather, separate teams compete for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland women's national football team
The Northern Ireland women's national football team represents Northern Ireland in international women's football.-World Cup record:-Current squad:Northern Ireland squad for 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifiers versus France on 27 and 31 March 2010...
. With the 2012 Summer Olympics
2012 Summer Olympics
The 2012 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the "London 2012 Olympic Games", are scheduled to take place in London, England, United Kingdom from 27 July to 12 August 2012...
scheduled to take place in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, however, an Olympic football team will be created to take the automatic qualifying place of the hosts. Following an agreement between the British Olympic Association
British Olympic Association
The British Olympic Association is the national Olympic committee for Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It was formed in 1905 in the House of Commons, and at that time consisted of seven national governing body members from the following sports: fencing, life-saving, cycling, skating, rowing,...
(B.O.A.) and The Football Association
The Football Association
The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association...
(F.A.), which normally operates the England team, the FA will select the British team, which may include players from across the United Kingdom.
Background
When the world's first football association, FA, was formed in 1863, its geographical remit was not clear: there was no specification of whether it covered just England, the entire UK or even the entire world. The question was answered when the Scottish Football AssociationScottish Football Association
The Scottish Football Association is the governing body of football in Scotland and has the ultimate responsibility for the control and development of football in Scotland. Members of the SFA include clubs in Scotland, affiliated national associations as well as local associations...
(SFA) was founded in 1873. The third national football association, the Football Association of Wales
Football Association of Wales
The Football Association of Wales is the governing body of association football in Wales. It is a member of FIFA, UEFA and the IFAB.Established in 1876 , it is the third-oldest national association in the world, and is one of the four associations The Football Association of Wales (FAW) is the...
was founded in 1876 and a fourth, the Irish Football Association
Irish Football Association
The Irish Football Association is the organising body for association football in Northern Ireland, and was historically the governing body for Ireland...
, (IFA), was founded in 1880.
Football therefore developed with separate national teams representing separate associations for each of the countries of the United Kingdom
Countries of the United Kingdom
Countries of the United Kingdom is a term used to describe England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. These four countries together form the sovereign state of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, which is also described as a country. The alternative terms, constituent...
and no 'United Kingdom football association' was ever formed. Whilst a team selected by the FA
Great Britain and Northern Ireland Olympic football team
The Great Britain and Northern Ireland Olympic football team represents Great Britain and Northern Ireland in international football competitions in the Olympic Games. The selection is limited to players under the age of 23, except three overage players...
, sometimes including players from outside of England, did represent the UK at men's Olympic football between 1908 and 1972, the UK had stopped entering teams into the Olympic football tournament
Football at the Summer Olympics
Association football, usually known simply as football or soccer, has been included in every Olympiad except 1896 and 1932 as a men's competition sport. Women's football was added to the official programme in 1996.-Early history:...
by the time of the first women's football competition at the 1996 Games
1996 Summer Olympics
The 1996 Summer Olympics of Atlanta, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and unofficially known as the Centennial Olympics, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States....
.
London 2012
Due to London's successful bid for the 2012 Summer OlympicsLondon 2012 Olympic bid
London 2012 was the successful bid for the 2012 Summer Games, to be held in London with most events taking place in Stratford, Newham. The British Olympic Association had been working on the bid since 1997...
, the United Kingdom had the right to enter a team in the football tournament as host nation. The British Olympic Association
British Olympic Association
The British Olympic Association is the national Olympic committee for Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It was formed in 1905 in the House of Commons, and at that time consisted of seven national governing body members from the following sports: fencing, life-saving, cycling, skating, rowing,...
stated it would enter a football team, but the Scottish Football Association
Scottish Football Association
The Scottish Football Association is the governing body of football in Scotland and has the ultimate responsibility for the control and development of football in Scotland. Members of the SFA include clubs in Scotland, affiliated national associations as well as local associations...
refused even to attend meetings at which the Home Nations
Home Nations
Home Nations is a collective term with one of two meanings depending on the context. Politically, it means the nations of the constituent countries of the United Kingdom...
were to discuss the possibility and the Football Association of Wales
Football Association of Wales
The Football Association of Wales is the governing body of association football in Wales. It is a member of FIFA, UEFA and the IFAB.Established in 1876 , it is the third-oldest national association in the world, and is one of the four associations The Football Association of Wales (FAW) is the...
withdrew from the negotiations. In October 2007 the Irish Football Association
Irish Football Association
The Irish Football Association is the organising body for association football in Northern Ireland, and was historically the governing body for Ireland...
(the association for Northern Ireland) also announced that they would not take part in a unified team, leaving the English FA as the only association willing to take part. It was reported that the other associations feared the loss of their privileged voting position within the International Football Association Board
International Football Association Board
The International Football Association Board is the body that determines the Laws of the Game of association football.-Operations:...
.
Having reached the quarter-finals of the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup, England qualified for the Olympic tournament, as they had in 1996. However, they were unable to take their place at the 2008 Games in Beijing
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
after the national football associations failed to reach an agreement on whether they could play. They were replaced in the tournament by Sweden
Sweden women's national football team
Sweden women's national football team are a football team officially representing Sweden in women's football. They won the unofficial European Championships in 1984, a success the team has not managed to repeat, it has however won one World Cup-silver as well as three European Cup-silvers...
. Nevertheless, the BOA decided that a women's team would compete in London 2012.
Following an initial announcement in May 2009 of a compromise, in which the FA would select a team of only English players to compete at London, an FA statement in June 2011 claimed that after discussions with all British football associations and the BOA that they would enter a team selected from across the United Kingdom. Although the announcement angered the other British football associations, who claimed not to have been consulted on the decision, the Scottish FA admitted that it would have no grounds for preventing Scottish players from competing in the team. In November 2011 the Professional Footballers' Association
Professional Footballers' Association
The Professional Footballers' Association is the trade union for professional footballers in England and Wales. The world's oldest professional sport trade union, it has 4,000 members....
had to warn the Scottish, Welsh and Irish FA's against trying to "intimidate" players into not taking part.
In June 2011 Arsenal Ladies
Arsenal L.F.C.
Arsenal Ladies Football Club are an English women's association football club affiliated with Arsenal F.C.. Founded in 1987, they are the most successful club in English women's football having won 34 major trophies to date; which are 12 FA Women's Premier League titles, 11 FA Women's Cups, ten...
striker Julie Fleeting
Julie Fleeting
Julie Fleeting MBE , whose married name is Julie Stewart, is a Scottish international footballer who currently plays as a striker for Arsenal Ladies in the FA WSL. She wears the number 10 shirt....
, Scotland's record goalscorer, ruled herself out of contention. She concurred with the opinion of her father Jim—the Scottish FA's director of football development—that participation may "jeopardise" the Scottish national team. Fleeting's team mate for club and country Kim Little
Kim Little
Kim Little is a Scottish female international football midfielder. She currently plays her club football for Arsenal Ladies and has represented Scotland at Senior level. She was born in Aberdeen, Scotland.-Club career:...
took the opposite view: "I don't see why anyone would want to stop a player from playing at a massive tournament like the Olympics, it's the biggest sporting event ever. If I get the opportunity I'll grab it with both hands – I would definitely play." Fellow Scots Rachel Corsie
Rachel Corsie
Rachel Louise Corsie is a Scottish female international football defender. She currently plays in the Scottish Women's Premier League for Glasgow City. Corsie made her senior Scotland debut against France in March 2009 and has since amassed over 25 appearances for the national team.-Club career:In...
and Jennifer Beattie
Jennifer Beattie
Jennifer Patricia Beattie is a Scottish female international footballer. She currently plays her club football for Arsenal Ladies and has represented Scotland at Senior level. Beattie is a tall, strong, right-footed player...
also expressed interest, as well as Everton
Everton L.F.C.
Everton Ladies Football Club are a semi-professional women's association football team from the city of Liverpool, who compete in the FA WSL. They were runners-up to Arsenal in the 2009–10 Premier League National Division season. They have won the title once in 1998 and the FA Women's Cup on...
's Welsh winger Gwennan Harries
Gwennan Harries
Gwennan Harries is a Welsh female football striker. She currently plays her club football for Everton. She was born in Bridgend and has represented Wales at Under-19 and senior level.-Club career:...
.
In October 2011 Hope Powell
Hope Powell
Hope Patricia Powell, CBE is the coach of the England women's national football team. Powell is an ‘A’ License coach and in 2003 became the first woman to achieve the UEFA Pro Licence - the highest coaching award available.-Early life:Powell was educated at Bethany School and went on to take A...
was appointed head coach of the women's team.
Forthcoming Fixtures
Great Britain are expected to play two friendlies prior to the 2012 Summer Olympics football tournamentFootball at the 2012 Summer Olympics
Football at the 2012 Summer Olympics is scheduled to be held in London and several other cities in the United Kingdom, from 25 July to 11 August. The finals will be played at Wembley Stadium. Associations affiliated with FIFA are invited to send their full women's national teams and men's U-23...
. London 2012: FA ponders Team GB Olympic celebration games BBC Sport. 26-10-11. Accessed 10-11-11 These matches must not take place at venues which will be used during the Olympics tournament. Villa Park
Villa Park
Villa Park may mean:United Kingdom* Villa Park, an association football stadium in Birmingham, EnglandUnited States* Villa Park, California, a small city in Orange County* Villa Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago in DuPage County...
in Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
has been suggested as a likely venue, with the both friendlies taking place as part of a 'double-header' with matches from the men's Olympic team
Great Britain and Northern Ireland Olympic football team
The Great Britain and Northern Ireland Olympic football team represents Great Britain and Northern Ireland in international football competitions in the Olympic Games. The selection is limited to players under the age of 23, except three overage players...
.
During the Olympic tournament, Great Britain will compete at the following times and venues:
Olympic record
| Olympics Record Football at the Summer Olympics Association football, usually known simply as football or soccer, has been included in every Olympiad except 1896 and 1932 as a men's competition sport. Women's football was added to the official programme in 1996.-Early history:... |
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | GP | W | D | L | GS | GA |
 18961896 Summer Olympics The 1896 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the I Olympiad, was a multi-sport event celebrated in Athens, Greece, from April 6 to April 15, 1896. It was the first international Olympic Games held in the Modern era... –  1992 |
No football tournament | |||||||
 1996Football at the 1996 Summer Olympics The association football competition at the 1996 Summer Olympics was held in Birmingham, Alabama; Washington, D.C; Orlando, Florida; Miami, Florida; and Athens, Georgia.... –  2008Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics was held in Beijing and several other cities in the People's Republic of China from 6 August to 23 August. Associations affiliated with FIFA were invited to send their full women's national teams and men's U-23 teams to participate... |
Did Not Enter | |||||||
 2012Football at the 2012 Summer Olympics Football at the 2012 Summer Olympics is scheduled to be held in London and several other cities in the United Kingdom, from 25 July to 11 August. The finals will be played at Wembley Stadium. Associations affiliated with FIFA are invited to send their full women's national teams and men's U-23... |
Qualified | |||||||
| Total | 0/4 | |||||||