FIFA vows to improve governance and boost female participation in Soccer
A two day meeting recently took place in Zürich which was attended by all the FIFA Executive Committee members. It was to discuss a some ways forward to improve and reform the Governance after the corruption case and how best to promote women’s soccer participation.
The executives agreed that a task force is set up for Women’s soccer. Its role will be to call for greater participation and inclusion in the game.
Women’s soccer Popularity Continues To Rise
In a recent report conducted by UEFA from its 54 member associations, it has shown the growing popularity of Women’s soccer, especially in the European Continent. More resources and money have been put into the female game than ever before. It has led to it developing and improving at a fast rate.
Over the last year there is a 4% increase of registered female soccer players. The total now stands at 1,208,558, with an increase of 46,244. The total number of women playing soccer since 1985 has grown 5 times. At grass route and youth level, the register stands at more than 750,000. One of the major challenges ahead for the associations, is how to keep the young players. still playing the game over the long-term.
FIFA Women’s Task Force Role
The FIFA task force will continue to help drive the recruitment of women in all areas of the sport. Over the last few years there has been a rapid rise of the amount of female referees. The most recent report shows that there are 7,461 that are qualified. One reason for this is the excellent work of the associations with female development programs.
The amount of associations pursuing the development programs has rose from 26 to 31. soccer is an environment that is dominated by men and coaching is a prime example of this. It is the task forces job to try to encourage more women to get into coaching or gain further qualifications.
UEFA Women’s soccer Associations
One area that UEFA are working hard with the associations is marketing and communications. They are trying to get more exposure to the game and increase the interest of the public about the sport. The main aim of the campaign is targeted toward encouraging more young girls to get into soccer at grassroots level.
The national associations over the past year have hired over 100 people who are dedicated to female soccer. Thirty percent of UEFA associations are now female workers. It has risen from 1,963, which shows an increase of over 300 since last year. The total number that work at managerial or greater is 366.
Things Are Looking Good For Women’s soccer
Men’s soccer will always dominate but it is not going to have it all its own way in the coming years. The female game continues to rise and that is even without the huge salaries paid to male soccer professionals. Thanks to the dedication and passion of female soccer players, the game will continue to grow.
This article is courtesy of sports author Tony Samboras. As the dust starts to settle on the FIFA scandal Tony is very keen on writing about the other developments involved with soccer across the world. With a little luck soon this scandal will be over and it can just be added to the list of world soccer blunders.
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