TVREAL
BT Sport has partnered with Insight TV to co-produce Ultimate Goal, a six-part reality competition show.
Currently in preproduction by Zig Zag Productions (The Next Jamie Vardy, The Football Show), Ultimate Goal will capture the journey of 28 women as they compete for the chance to take part in a one-off match in front of scouts from women’s football teams around the world. Eniola Aluko, former Chelsea, Juventus and Lionesses player, will host the show. The series is slated to premiere on BT Sport in the U.K. and on Insight TV worldwide later this year.
Over the course of the series, Eniola, who also played for Saint Louis Athletica, Atlanta Beat and Sky Blue FC in the U.S., will lead a team of football legends who will act as mentors and coaches to the contestant players. BT Sport football analyst, the former England national team goalkeeper Rachel Brown Finnis, will also mentor the players and the twins Rosie and Mollie Kmita (former players for West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur) will be coaches. From the 28 women, a team of 14 will be chosen to prepare for a trial match against a top women’s football team, which will be attended by scouts from teams such as Chelsea, Barcelona, Arsenal, Lyon and the Orlando Pride.
Arun Maljaars, VP of content and channels at Insight TV, said: “Insight TV is always looking to tell compelling stories that are exciting, inspiring and relevant to what’s going on in our world. With Ultimate Goal, we wanted to build on the significant work being done in the U.K. and internationally to grow the women’s game on and off the field through the power of storytelling. We’re excited to partner with BT Sport to give women’s football the exposure it deserves. We are hoping that this show format will empower and encourage young women to get into football.”
Jamie Hindhaugh, chief operating officer, BT Sport, said: “BT Sport is proud to be involved with a project which builds on BT’s extensive work with the four U.K. Home Nations to create a legacy across women’s football.”
Danny Fenton, CEO of Zig Zag Productions, said: “It’s long been our ambition to produce a competition reality series based around women’s football. The game has exploded in popularity and together with Insight TV and BT Sport we aim to create a show that will help to inspire the next generation of talent in the women’s game. We are currently securing talent for the show, both as mentors and contestants.”
