Women’s Sport Gains Momentum: New Facilities for London City lionesses, Digital Boost for Table Tennis England, and Topps Targets Young Fans
KENT, ENGLAND – A wave of investment and innovation is sweeping through women’s and youth sport this week, highlighted by a landmark planning approval for a state-of-the-art training facility for London City Lionesses, a digital overhaul for Table Tennis England, and a targeted campaign from trading card giant Topps.
The London City Lionesses, a professional women’s football club, received approval from Tonbridge and Malling Council to build what is being touted as “the leading performance campus in the world” for women’s sport. The facility aims to eliminate historical barriers faced by female athletes and provide a top-tier training habitat.
“this is more than just a planning decision – it’s a game-changing moment for women’s football,” said Martin Semmens, CEO of London City Lionesses. “The facilities we will create here will set the gold standard.They will be comparable to a men’s Premier League team, specifically designed to meet the needs of our female athletes.” The new home for the club will be located in Kent, with construction expected to begin in the coming months.
Elsewhere, Table Tennis England is embarking on a significant digital transformation, appointing Cloudathlete as its partner for its membership platform and wider digital services. Developed by Rocca, already a supplier providing TT Leagues and TT Clubs management platforms, the new system will launch fully in July 2026, beginning with the 2026/27 membership season.
The partnership aims to streamline membership processes,introduce a modern competition management system,and enable more personalized communication and data-driven insights. Sally Lockyer, CEO of Table Tennis England, emphasized the long-term vision: “This marks the start of a journey that will reshape how we connect with our players, volunteers, clubs and fans.It’s not just about new systems – it’s about building the foundations to support every level of the game and set us up for the future.”
Rounding out the news,Topps has launched a nationwide 3D ad van campaign to promote its new 25/26 Match Attax UCC Collection. The campaign, executed by Mobile Media, utilizes vans equipped with 3D digital displays, visiting schools and showcasing cards featuring footballers like Ousmane Dembélé, Ronaldinho, and Cole Palmer.
Joe Heatley-baillie, Marketing Director for UK & ROI at Topps, explained the strategy: ”The new Match Attax UCC Collection is all about raising the game – and this activation certainly brought the uniqueness of collecting to life. We wanted to create a truly memorable experience for kids and collectors, and there’s no better place to celebrate football fandom than in the schools where so many young fans first fall in love with the game.”
These developments reflect a growing trend of investment and focus on enhancing opportunities and experiences within women’s sport and youth engagement, signaling a positive trajectory for the future of these sectors.