Recently Chairman of Women’s Football Committee in Bermuda Gregory Grimes attended the 4th FIFA Women’s Football Symposium in Shanghai, China. During the closing ceremony FIFA President Joseph Blatter stated he will be recommending to the FIFA Executive that it be mandatory for 20% instead of 10% of the $250,000 a year given to National Associations to be spent on Women’s Football. It is anticipated this will pass at the next FIFA Congress unopposed.
The following items were discussed during the symposium:-
A. Striking Partnerships
B. Supporting Growth
C. Building Grassroots Programmes
D. Competition and Player Development
E. Creating Own Coaches and Referees
F. Marketing, Promotion and Building Awareness
G. Overcoming Cultural Barriers
Grimes said, “There is a great opportunity for the women’s game in Bermuda to grow, however we must work together to achieve that growth. Using the above topics I will like for all of us to think of ways that we can work together to accomplish that growth”.
Grimes put forward the following ideas for consideration:-
A. Striking Partnerships – Work with the Ministries of Health and Education on a campaign to show the positive effects that participating in football can bring.
B. Creating Own Coaches and Referees – Senior players coming to the end of their career consider giving back to the game by becoming coaches, referees or administrators. We should also work with the BRA to encourage women to officiate.
C. Marketing, Promotion and Building Awareness – Work with our present sponsor to market the game and building a solid foundation for a long term partnership with them. Highlight the accomplishments of current players.
D. Overcoming Cultural Barriers – We need to work together to continue to grow and improve our game. This will make it very difficult for the press and male dominant affiliates to ignore us.
Grimes continued, “The above are just some ideas to get people thinking of the huge potential for growth that we have, however we will only be successful if we work together”.
A recommendation will be made to the FIFA Executive to raise the amount of the money spent on Women’s Football from 10% to 20% per year. Therefore it will be imperative for full participation from all teams to attend the retreat that the Women’s Committee plan to host shortly. We also need to consider how we can assist the growth within the girls divisions.
Grimes concluded, “I believe in the woman’s game and wish to be a part of the growth that I know is possible. Let today be the beginning of a united approach by the Women’s Committee working in harmony with a dedicated group of females and males for the betterment of women’s and girl’s football”.
