Sports Features

The Women's International at the National Hockey Stadium is a sell-out, a good sign that women's football in this country is growing in popularity, and this year's European Championships, hosted by England, will be a great chance to build on that.

Faye told us all about the build-up to the Championships, the positive direction that women's football is taking and her hopes for this week's game.

How important is the match against Italy at the National Hockey Stadium?

It's the build up to the European Championships so it's a huge game for us to see what level we've been working at over the last few meet-ups and see where we're at.

Faye White plays for England in 2001

Euro 2005 must be a good way of getting people behind the women's game in this country. How do you think it will affect it?

Hopefully it will have a huge impact both for getting girls involved in the game and seeing what level they can aspire to and also for seeing some of the best players. I think it will really capture people's imaginations and get them watching the game and seeing the skill level. The fact that it's going to be on mainstream TV as well will help to take it into so many more people's homes.

What's your build-up to the European Championships like?

Next month there's a tournament in the Algarve. Again there'll be some of the top teams there so it will give us a good insight and will be good preparation for what a competition will actually be like. There are then some more friendlies each month right up to the Euros.

Do you feel that you have to win people over to respect your sport?

Yes - it's been like that for a long time now but views are slowly changing. More people are coming to watch the games. It's a sell out on Thursday at MK Dons which is really encouraging, so if we can keep that momentum going over the next few months into the European Championships then I think we'll hopefully get the media on the the same road - really wanting to cover the women's game.

How did you get to this level and how do girls generally get into the game?

When I was younger I always played with boys so it was very different to what girls are doing nowadays. There's now a structure where there are centres of excellence at some of the top teams and there are academies that girls can go to. Then there's the U15s, U17s, U19s set-up and now the Under 21s at England level.

But I got into the game by chance really. I found out that there was a local team next to me because I was fed up playing with the boys but from then on I got on really by chance through being scouted.

Faye White in training for England

I joined Arsenal and once you're part of one of the top teams you have more of a chance of being seen. I went straight into the senior team at 15 or 16 so that jump from playing for a low team to playing for Arsenal in the top team to playing for England was a huge jump and a lot to have to contend with. The route for girls into the game now is a lot better.

What kind of captain are you?

I would say I'm more of a calm and composed captain. I'm not the most vocal in the changing rooms or round the hotel but when I'm out on the pitch that's where I try to do my talking. But I tend to be more the sort of person who puts their arm around someone and says 'well done' or 'keep going', and let the manager really shout and tell people when they're not doing well.

Are you confident about Thursday?

I think so because if you look at our results over the last few games that we've played we have been improving.

Although we lost 1-0 to the Italians two years ago there were a lot of key players out and a lot of new players coming in who we were just testing in that game.

Faye celebrates winning the women's FA Cup in 2004

I think it should be interesting. I think it will be tight but hopefully it will be one that we will actually win so we can take that confidence into the next game and the tournament in the Algarve as well.

About the match

The England v Italy match is part of England’s on-going preparations for the 2005 UEFA European Women’s Championship, which takes place in the North West of England in June.

The news that it is a sell-out has been welcomed by all parties.

Pete Winkelman, Chairman of Milton Keynes Dons who play at the Hockey Stadium, said: “It is fantastic that Milton Keynes Dons’ fans have embraced the England women’s international and everyone at the club is really looking forward to the match.

"I hope that the fans will create a good atmosphere for the England team.”

Meanwhile, England coach, Hope Powell OBE, added: “This game is a crucial part of England’s preparations for Women’s Euro 2005 and it is great news that it has sold out.”

Fans without tickets are requested not to travel to the stadium as no tickets will be available on the day.