The Football Association has concluded a major sponsorship agreement with supermarket Tesco.

As ‘Official England Supermarket’, Tesco will work with The FA on a range of initiatives to satisfy the huge demand from fans for official England products around the team’s participation in major tournaments.

And to support the development of women’s and girls’ football in England, Tesco will be The FA’s Official Women’s and Girls’ Football Partner until 2010.

The overall agreement will also open up a great opportunity for the parties to work on a joint grassroots football initiative to be announced in due course.

Women’s football is now officially the biggest female team sport in the country, and is set to enjoy a higher profile when the England Women’s team compete in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in China this September.

Tesco will be the title sponsor of The FA Women’s Premier League and The FA Women’s Premier League Cup, and the supermarket also gains various advertising and branding rights at England women’s internationals and The FA Women’s Cup.

Crucially, Tesco’s support will enable The FA to develop its already wide range of initiatives and materials to encourage girls to take up the game – and take part in an enjoyable fitness activity at the same time.

"This is great news for the women’s and girls’ game in this country," says Hope Powell, Head Coach of the England women’s team. "The number of girls playing the game is increasing every season and we will announce some major plans later in the year to take the women’s game to the next level."

"We’re delighted to be working with The FA to help encourage more women and girls to have a more active role in football," says Ian Crook, Tesco Marketing Director.

"We already run a highly-successful scheme to give free sports equipment to schools and this agreement takes our commitment to sport and healthy living further forward."

Jonathan Hill, The FA’s Group Commercial Director comments: "We are delighted to welcome Tesco into our overall FA Sponsor plan - and we look forward to a long and productive relationship with them."