Starling signs up Southampton FC Women for three more years:

• Digital bank renews contract with club to level playing field for women and girls
• Front of shirt sponsor signs deal ahead of new kit launch
• Saints see 355% increase in match attendance from 2021/2022 season

14th June: Starling Bank has signed a three-year deal as official principal partner of Southampton FC Women. The bank will continue as front of shirt sponsor for the team after initially partnering for the 2022-2023 season, when Starling became the first organisation to sponsor the women’s team independently of the men’s.

The three year deal follows a number of initiatives launched by Starling and the Saints to create more grassroots football opportunities for women and girls. The bank, which has created 500 jobs at its Southampton base, launched the Coaches of Tomorrow programme to train up 20 women from the region into FA accredited coaches. Starling also funded a free ticket giveaway to a Conti Cup match in 2022, resulting in a record number of ticket sales for the women’s team at St Mary’s Stadium against Tottenham Hotspur Women.

‍Charlie Boss, Chief Commercial Officer at Southampton FC said: “Our club is extremely proud of everything our women’s team has achieved on and off the pitch. Starling's continued support and belief in our vision has been instrumental in the team's remarkable growth and success. This renewed partnership is a testament to the unwavering commitment of both organisations to achieving greatness together.”

The partnership renewal comes as the Saints experienced significant growth during the 2022/2023 season. Average attendances for each match increased by 355% compared to the 2021/2022 season, while Season Ticket sales increased by 180% in the same period.

On 19th June, the team’s first ever shirt that’s available for general purchase, with a dedicated team sponsor, will also be launched.

‍Rachel Kerrone, Brand and Marketing Director at Starling said: “There has been so much progress in women’s football in the last year. We want to help the tide rise for women and girls everywhere, both in technology and in sport, and I can’t wait to see what we can do with Southampton FC Women in the next three years and beyond.”

Starling has launched a number of initiatives since sponsoring the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022. Its ‘Kick On with Starling’ programme saw the bank launch a £200,000 free-kit giveaway for women and girl’s grassroots teams. The bank also donated £28,000 in grants to grassroots teams across the UK, and is Sports Aid’s biggest sponsor of female football ambassadors for 2023.