EWOOD Park will be the focal point of England Women's attempts to win next summer's European Championships.

The largest female sporting event ever staged in this country was formally unveiled in Blackburn yesterday.

Over 50 countries will be taking live televised coverage of the flagship event, which features 15 games played over 15 days between June 5-19, 2005 at five grounds across the north west, including Preston North End's Deepdale, Bloomfield Road in Blackpool, The City of Manchester Stadium and the new home of Warrington Wolves.

But with England playing their final two group games in Blackburn, where the prestigious final will also be held, Ewood seems sure to gain the maximum worldwide exposure.

Burnley-born Rachel Brown adds more local flavour to the event as England's current number one goalkeeper.

And Brown revealed her intention to visit as many schools in the area as possible during the next six months to keep the women's game firmly in the spotlight.

She said: "It's finally hit home now that this is all actually happening. The launch and all the grounds being announced means we are all going to be busy promoting the tournament over the next six months, but that's what everyone wants and we can't wait to spread the word."

Football is now the largest women's participation sport in England, with around 7,000 teams being formed and over 1.5 million girls regularly playing the game across the country.

However, England still lag behind many other countries, most notably Germany and the Scandinavian nations, who are at the forefront of the game.

England Women's manager Hope Powell, who played for England in 1984 the last time they reached the European Championship final, hopes hosting next summer's tournament can drive the next generation to close the gap on many of their biggest rivals.

Powell said: "The game globally has moved on since I took over as manager in 1998 and we are constantly trying to catch up.

"However, the coverage this tournament will provide can hopefully be a springboard."

because I see this as a showpiece for the advancement of the women's game in this country."