Thousands of people turned out to watch and participate in a variety of activities centred around women’s and girls’ football across the Bank Holiday weekend at the Nottingham Festival of Women’s Football.

The Final of The FA Women’s Cup was the pinnacle of the festival – a fantastic three day event which united the clubs, players and fans of the women’s game.

Several thousand people came along to the Old Market Square on Saturday to enjoy the first day of the weekend’s celebrations. The event included a Girls’ Football Challenge with giant football inflatables, demos from some of the city’s best women’s and girls’ football clubs, performances by Dan Magness and Charlotte Lade – amazing football freestylers, plus guest appearance from local girl Katie Holtham who played in The Final for Leeds United.

On Sunday The Nottinghamshire Girls' and Women’s League Cup Finals , held at the brand new Gresham Sports Park, saw over 2,000 people attend and enjoy a feast of football. The new pavilion was officially opened on the day by the Mayor of Rushcliffe, Cllr Christine Jeffries along with England Women's international Casey Stoney. The day proved to be a fantastic success for all concerned. In the last game of the afternoon Radcliffe Olympic took the Senior Women's trophy beating Retford Utd 3 - 1.

The Victoria Trophy also took place on Sunday at the Victoria Embankment and with 117 teams and over 1000 players taking part, it was once again the UKs largest women's and girls' one day five-a-side football tournament.

The Final of The FA Women's Cup, sponsored by E.ON returned to Nottingham on Bank Holiday Monday and this year, Nottingham City Council with support from Rushcliffe Borough Council, East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and a range of partners, helped to attract a record crowd of 24,582. The crowd saw Arsenal clinch their third successive FA Women’s Cup with a 4 – 1 victory over Leeds United at the City Ground.

Councillor David Trimble, Portfolio holder for Communities, Leisure and Culture said: "The atmosphere both at the festival and at The Final has been fantastic - a real family feel. We are absolutely delighted with the new attendance figures for The FA Women’s Cup Final and so pleased to be able to support such a prestigious event which we hope will inspire local women and girls to become more involved in football."

The events also coincided with happy news for both Nottingham Forest mens and ladies teams as they celebrate promotion to the championship and FA National Premier League respectively.

The Nottingham Festival of Women's Football has been provided in partnership with Nottingham City Council, the East Midlands Development Agency, Notts FA, Notts County, Nottingham Forest, The FA Women's Cup sponsored by E.ON, Rushcliffe Borough Council, the Football Foundation and Experience Nottinghamshire.

For further information about the Nottingham Festival of Women’s Football please visit www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/girlsfootball or call 0115 915 2782.