Women's football - or 'soccer' as it's known in many countries - has been played in England for more than a hundred years. Butunlike men's football, it's always been an amateur game. The new Super League will be the first semi-professional competition for women, with eight teams from across the country competing for the title.

The players will get paid for their efforts, although their salaries will be nothing like those given to top male football stars. The Football Association says it hopes to avoid uneven competition where the country's richest clubs get access to all the best players.

Each club in the women's super league will have a maximum annualbudget of around US$ 400,000. Some clubs, like Arsenal and Everton, will be helped by their respective male clubs, but others are trying to match their incomes by coaching school pupils or raising money through social events.

Organisers are hoping the league will eventually attract the world's best female players and stop England's top stars heading toGermany and the United States where there are already major professional competitions.