Hope Powell says it’s a ‘privilege’ to be England Women’s National Coach as The FA marks its 150th anniversary.

2013 is a momentous year for the organisation, whose birthday celebrations were officially launched in central London today.

Within an exciting year of fixtures for all the Three Lions teams, Powell’s side will be embarking on their Euro 2013 Finals campaign in Sweden in July. It will be her fifth major championship in charge of England.

On top of that Powell, who became the first woman to be awarded the UEFA Pro Licence in 2003, was also head coach of Team GB Women at London 2012.

And the former Millwall Lionnesses midfielder, herself an international player capped 66 times for her country, says she has been able to live her childhood dream since joining The FA in 1998.

She said: “It was an ambition of mine as a young girl to somehow be paid in football and be part of an organisation where I can be part of something great.

“To be involved is a real honour. For me it’s a privilege.”

July will also mark 20 years since The FA took over from the Women’s FA in running the women’s game in England.

In 1993 there were only 80 girls’ teams, no professional players, no development plan and very little funding.

Today, with over 253,000 participants every month, women’s football is England’s fourth biggest team sport – behind men’s football, cricket and rugby.

Powell’s England team are ranked eighth in the world, while the top tier domestically – The FA Women’s Super League – is a semi-professional league with two sponsors and a broadcast partner as it approaches the beginning of its third season.

There are now more that 25,000 female coaches and 1,035 female referees.

And 2013 promises to be another great year, particularly following the launch of a five-year plan for women’s football, called ‘Game Changer’, in October.

A number of commitments have been made to increase participation and performance on and off the pitch throughout the girls’ and women’s game.

And to achieve that, The FA will also invest a further £3.5m into women’s football over the next four years.

Powell added: “The game has come a long way and has grown in every department.

“Whether that’s the number of girls playing, opportunities for females to work in the game, number of referees has increased, number of female coaches has increased. Everything, arguably, has got better.

“It’s in a healthy position and hopefully the future is bright.”

Watch Hope Powell's video message in the media gallery above