JULIE-ANN Russell will be doing her talking on AND off the pitch when the most interactive league in the world kicks off this weekend.
Russell has been named as Doncaster Rovers Belles’ digital ambassador for the new FA Women’s Super League (FAWSL) season.
She will wear her Twitter account name on her shirt sleeve as part of new initiative to raise the profile of the women’s game.
FAWSL players are the first professional athletes in the UK to have their Twitter names printed on their shirt sleeves.
Russell’s role as ambassador will be to use social media to give fans a glimpse of life on and off the pitch at Doncaster Rovers Belles.
Kelly Simmons, the FA’s Head of the National Game, said: “When we launched The FA WSL last year we set out to be a truly interactive league by inviting fans to have a say and to get closer to the players through social media channels.
“Since then we have increased supporters inside and outside of the stadium, but consistent awareness and recognition remains challenging.
“Research shows that there is an appetite for content about women’s football, but the sport rarely makes headlines except for major tournaments.
“We want to continue to interact with our fans in exciting ways and make 2012 a starting point, not an end point, for greater support for women’s football.”
Arsenal, the league’s first ever champions, begin the defence of their title against Everton on Sunday.
Doncaster Belles launch their campaign at Chelsea on Easter Monday, live on ESPN (3pm).
You can follow Julie-Ann Russell on Twitter @Juulie_Ann.