AWARD-winning Wales-based Orchard Media and Events Group has once again signed as Headline Sponsor of the Welsh Premier Women’s League (WPWL) – helping to sustain the grass roots of the women’s game in Wales for the third season in a row at the most successful time in the country’s history.

Orchard has been backing the increasingly popular women’s game in Wales for the past two seasons, becoming headline sponsor for the first time in 2016 in the biggest commercial deal in the history of the competition. For the first time this season they will also be using their PR expertise to support the Orchard Welsh Premier Women’s League.

Orchard already works closely with the Football Association of Wales, managing match days for the World Cup qualifiers and producing FAW Awards ceremonies and press conferences.

Orchard’s production team has made video case studies of all the women’s clubs in the league, plus two programmes on the successful run of the Welsh women’s team for BBC Wales.

Commenting on the deal, Lucy Kelly, Orchard WPWL Secretary said, “We’re delighted to have Orchard back on board. They’ve been a great supporter of women’s football in Wales over the past two seasons, and we are pleased that they not only want to continue that support, but extend it into helping us grow the coverage of the game and the league further.”

The Welsh Premier Women’s League was formed in 2009, and has grown to 12 teams now participating in the league.

Orchard’s Marketing & Communications Manager, Emma Wordley said, “As proud supporters of Welsh sport, working closely with FA Wales on a number of fronts, we are only too happy to support the development of the women’s game in Wales at a time when the national team is doing so well. We want to play our part in the success of the women’s game here by boosting the sport at club level to ensure long term benefit.”