Girls! Go and Play Soccer!

siteadmin, sze, 2003-07-09 13:54

Soccer had been the benefit only for men for many years. There has been a tremendous change in this area during the last three decades. Women’s soccer has seen dramatic progress. We hear more and more about the existing leagues in different countries and about the growing number of women soccer players all around the world.



It was the year of 1971 (January) when the big decision came about by UEFA asking its members to support women soccer. “The future is for women!” – Sepp Blatter stated in 1995 who was at the time “only” the general secretary of UEFA. FIFA and UEFA founded the Head Committee of Women Soccer decades earlier, which resulted in the organization of 8 European Cups since 1984, and 3 World Cups since 1991.
Being a demonstrational sport during the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta was another success of the sport, which continued with the fact that it became an official sport at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.
It is noticeable that women soccer is good in those countries where men play soccer at the very high level. Germany, Sweden, and Brazil are examples.


The improvement of women soccer can help the sport itself tremendously.
Why?




  • The popularity of the sport is growing at a fast rate.


  • More than a quarter of people visiting games are women.


  • Those women who visit games can have a positive impact on their children when they will play soccer.


  • A large proportion of a school staff is women. Since soccer has become very popular among girls at schools, it is important in the point of view of soccer that women teachers have some sort of connection with the sport.

According to international practice, girls - up to the age of 12 - should be educated and go through the same development as boys, also:



  • Basic requirement is the growth of the pool of women players and supporters.
  • More girls should play in a club environment from the age of 7-8.
  • The level and pace of education must be greater.
  • The center of development has to be based upon playing situations.
  • Women with playing experience should be encouraged to be coaches.
  • The development and education has to continue in a club system where the following should be provided:

    • The right personnels (coaches, secretaries, and sponsors)
    • The infrastructure (fields, locker-rooms, equipments)
    • The background for a healthy community

The question can be raised: why is it recommended that boys and girls participate in the educational process together and why in a club system?




  • First of all because of the biological stage of their body.


  • Special development is not the job of a school


  • Learning during playing is an important element of development. Girls can learn a lot by experiencing and observing the way boys play. Girls try to execute the technical exercises alongside the boys.
    Those girls who practice separately from boys will not progress as quickly and thoroughly.


  • The concept that only the better Girls should be given this opportunity is misguided. We should not forget that development and education of soccer has its optimal affect between the age of 6 and 12. The professional education will determine the future of the participant. Looking at the facts closely we can comfortably state that good women players rise out from those who grew up playing soccer with the boys.


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