海角视频

In conversation with 海角视频’s Director of Sport and Entertainment, Rob Amphlett.

A real 鈥榟eader鈥� into 2023, was the exhilarating Arsenal versus Chelsea women鈥檚 game on Sunday 15^th January, held at Emirates Stadium, London.

The two iconic teams took to the pitch in an exciting game of football for the Women鈥檚 Super League, in front of a near capacity crowd, with over 46,000 seats sold. Finishing with an amicable 1-1 final score, both Arsenal and Chelsea fans were united by the fact that this match was being held at one of the largest stadiums in the UK 鈥� a step in the right direction for women鈥檚 sports.

As a newcomer to football myself, I gained an interest in watching the sport after the Lionesses took the Euros by storm last year, attaining a major football victory which hadn鈥檛 been seen since England won the World Cup in 1966. This was a victory which was even more outstanding, seeing as women were banned from football for over 50 years in the 20^th century.

For advocates of women鈥檚 sport, it is heartening to see such national growing support for women鈥檚 teams, particularly within football. I saw this first hand at the Emirates Stadium, with a buzzing crowd of all ages and genders, creating a truly incredible atmosphere.

This atmosphere was only heightened by the stadium itself, which boasted a well-groomed pitch, flooded with sunlight. Sitting in my seat, waiting for the game to start, I gazed around, admiring the beautiful lines of the sweeping curves of the roof, which were truly stunning.

It鈥檚 amazing to think that the stadium was completed back in 2006 – it still looks fresh and modern today. What I didn鈥檛 realise, was that roof was designed with a specific function in mind and not just for its aesthetic.

As I am new to 海角视频, I wasn鈥檛 aware, until I mentioned my visit to colleagues, that we had been involved heavily in the design and build of the Emirates Stadium. To find out more I spoke to Rob Amphlett, our Director of Sport and Entertainment at 海角视频, about our work on the stadium, and to get his thoughts on the rise in popularity of women鈥檚 football.

It set the new standard for Premier League stadia at the time in much the same way as Tottenham stadium has currently

Rob Amphlett, Director of Sport and Entertainment, 海角视频

Could you please expand on 海角视频鈥檚 involvement in the Emirates Stadium?

鈥淭he Emirates was completed in back in 2006. We did all the engineering on the stadium and much of the surrounding sites, as well as re-developing the old Highbury Stadium. 

“海角视频 was instrumental in developing the design with our friends at Populous Architects, including the distinctive oval bowl and the low-slung roof. The curved, low roof was specifically designed to ensure as much sunlight gets to the pitch as possible to help the grass grow, a design element that was incredibly important to the client, and of course to the success of the pitch. 

鈥淚t set the new standard for Premier League stadia at the time in much the same way as Tottenham stadium has currently.鈥�

It鈥檚 staggering to think that as recently as 1971, women were actually banned by the FA from playing football

Rob Amphlett, Director of Sport and Entertainment, 海角视频

Are you surprised by the growing popularity in women鈥檚 football?

鈥淎s the father of two daughters (and one a football fanatic), the recent rise and success of women鈥檚 football in the UK is very exciting and bodes well for the future. The professionalisation of the Women鈥檚 Super League (WSL) and funding from the FA has clearly had a massive impact and is long overdue 鈥� this investment ultimately led to the England team winning the Euro鈥檚 this summer (we were there 鈥� what a game!). So, it鈥檚 clear investment pays off and it鈥檚 staggering to think that as recently as 1971, women were actually banned by the FA from playing football!

鈥淚t鈥檚 great to see women鈥檚 football being played at main stadiums at the bid clubs 鈥� but why only once or twice a year? There is clearly demand.鈥�

Sport should be for all, and all should have equal opportunity to follow their dreams

Rob Amphlett, Director of Sport and Entertainment, 海角视频

Agreed, there should be more women鈥檚 games in larger stadiums. Why is the resurgence of women鈥檚 football important do you think?

鈥淔irstly, because it鈥檚 great sport. The standard is outstanding at the highest level and deserves its place alongside the best of all sport. Personally, I prefer watching it to the men鈥檚 games, as it鈥檚 played in a better spirit generally, and fans are more respectful. 

鈥淪econdly, it鈥檚 important because so many young girls want to play and there needs to be something for them to aspire to 鈥� sport should be for all, and all should have equal opportunity to follow their dreams.鈥�

Ellie Lay, UK Marketing & PR Executive, was in conversation with Rob Amphlett, UK Director of Sport & Entertainment.