The Football Association (FA) has announced that a new semi-professional competition for women - the Women's Super League (WSL) - is to launch today (13 April).

Chelsea Ladies will play Arsenal Ladies in the inaugural game of the league, which will take place at Tooting and Mitcham United's ground and is to be screened live on ESPN. In addition to Chelsea and Arsenal, six other teams will compete in 14 rounds of matches - Birmingham; Bristol; Doncaster; Everton; Liverpool; and Lincoln.

Arsenal and England captain Faye White said: "This will really push the game on and hopefully inspire the next generation of players to follow in our footsteps." FA chair David Bernstein added: "This is a true landmark in the women's game, a real opportunity for it to take off in England."