Growth of women’s football a key objective for FIFA, insists Ellis
KEIR RADNEDGE REPORTS: FIFA’s study group into the future of the women’s game has come up with a string of worthy ideas and proposals.
The one snag is that enacting even some of them will depend heavily on the parallel and increasingly contentious feasibility study into revising the men’s international match calendar.
Topics up for debate, overseen by Jill Ellis, included competitive balance, increased opportunities for underserved nations, a FIFA Women’s Club World Cup, increased visibility and participation, international windows, prize money and the possibility of staging a biennial FIFA Women’s World Cup.
FIFA is also seeking opinions from other women’s football stakeholders including the member associations, confederations, clubs, leagues and teams.
Ellis, former United States women’s head coach, leads a group which comprises players, coaches, referees, administrators, sports scientists and executives from each of the six continental confederations.
She told a media briefing: “The growth of women’s football is a key objective for FIFA. Like any initiative, the first step is to gather all of the information and start to make next steps for how this advisory group can be impactful for tangible change for the growth and advancement of the women’s game.
“It’s time for women’s football to definitely assume the importance it has at all levels and create its own path of growth and advancement, notwithstanding the obviously necessary coordination with the men’s game namely to avoid calendar overlaps.”
Group contributors:
Deyna Castellanos (VEN) – Current player
Desiree Ellis (RSA) – National team coach
Laura Georges (FRA) – Administrator / former player
Emma Hayes (ENG) – Club coach
Lindsey Horan (USA) – Current player
Karina LeBlanc (CAN) – Former player
Kristine Lilly (USA) – Former player
Alex Morgan (USA) – Current player
Doreen Nabwire (KEN) – Administrator
Asisat Oshoala (NGA) – Current player
Mark Parsons (ENG) – Club coach
Ricardo Rambo (BRA) – National team coach
Wendie Renard (FRA) – Current player
Ali Riley (NZL) – Current player
Lotta Schelin (SWE) – Former player
Dawn Scott (ENG) – Sports scientist
Kelly Smith (ENG) – Former player
Bibiana Steinhaus-Webb (GER) – Referee
Pia Sundhage (SWE) – National team coach
Jorge Vilda (ESP) – National team coach
Sun Wen (CHN) – Former player.
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