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In Timothy Grainey’s book ‘Beyond Bend It Like Beckham, The Global Phenomenon of Women’s Soccer,’ he points out that despite the fact that women\u2019s soccer burst into the public consciousness only after the 1999 Women\u2019s World Cup, it has been around almost as long as its male counterpart.<\/p>\n
Today it is the most popular sport for girls and women with participation growing exponentially worldwide. So where are we with women\u2019s football in Dominica today nationwide?<\/p>\n
That question is for everyone – educators, school principals, sports enthusiasts, Dominica Football Association (DFA), women\u2019s advocacy organizations and government. Whilst the current efforts on the ground need to be applauded, much more needs to be done to raise the level and number of girls and women who play the game.<\/p>\n
Of course, it is a question of political will, priority, leadership, collaborative partnership and resources as well but there is and will always be, a question of resources and priorities when developing new programs.<\/p>\n
Football\u2019s governing body- FIFA- has recognized these huge challenges and constraints and has made it a priority to avail resources to Member Associations (MAs) like DFA for these undertakings.<\/p>\n
FIFA women\u2019s football development programs offer MAs multifaceted support ranging from expertise, teaching and promotional material, to football equipment and financial assistance. FIFA has set guidelines that provide all its 209 MAs with the necessary information to apply for and benefit from its women\u2019s football development programs.<\/p>\n
Between 2007 and 2010, FIFA invested about 800 million U.S dollars in new programs and in financial assistance to MAs. FIFA\u2019s mission promotes the development of women’s football and pledges to support women’s football financially and to give players, coaches, referees, and officials the opportunity to become actively involved in the sport.<\/p>\n
The governing body is helping to popularize the game by increasing public awareness and conducting information campaigns as well as overcoming social and cultural obstacles for women with the aim of improving women’s standing in society.<\/p>\n
MAs like the DFA can submit annual grant funding proposals requesting funds for programs to focus on four main areas of women\u2019 s football development: competitions, management, education and promotion.<\/p>\n
This includes the \u2018Live Your Goals campaign\u2019 which FIFA launched in 2011 to inspire more young girls and women to get involved in the sport. \u00a0\u00a0The funds afford necessary training camps, nutrition, travel expenses for coaches and staff. Also, high profile and influential women from the public or private sectors in Dominica need to be the catalysts of Dominica\u2019s women football by promoting the game, not only in Roseau but in the rural districts as well.<\/p>\n
This noble and patriotic cause is about empowering girls and women through sport and into their lives in general. But the role of Government in coloration with DFA in this endeavour, is critical. That time has come for more to be done towards the advancement of the game. The good news is that regional OECS countries are joining forces towards the enhancement of opportunities for women in the sport. That push will help to place Women\u2019s Football high on the agenda. But in order to be successful and sustainable, critical and focused leaders are needed if not via governments, but in public private partnerships with FAs and Concacaf.<\/p>\n
The Caribbean has a wealth of talent and all that is needed are the right structures to support and facilitate women’s advancement in the sport. \u00a0The fascinating history of women\u2019s Football around the world transcends much more than on the field performance and is an interesting story of the past, present, and future of the world\u2019s most popular sport.<\/p>\n
Progress has been made in Dominica but there is much more work to be done. The DFA, women\u2019s organizations, government and other advocacy groups need to harness the true potential for the growth of women\u2019s Football and consequently their overall growth and development.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"In Timothy Grainey’s book ‘Beyond Bend It Like Beckham, The Global Phenomenon of Women’s Soccer,’ he points out that despite the fact that women\u2019s soccer burst into the public consciousness only after the 1999 Women\u2019s World Cup, it has been…","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":282959,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_cbd_carousel_blocks":"[]","footnotes":""},"categories":[13,235,9,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-282958","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-commentary","category-homepage-carousel","category-news","category-sports"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n