WOMEN'S FOOTBALL STRATEGY 2021-23
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
WOMEN’S FOOTBALL STRATEGY 2021-23
Over the last decade, women’s football has
experienced an unprecedented period of growth. This is
an achievement the industry as a whole can be most proud of.
Though, this is only the first step – a step in the right direction,
of course – but only a first step all the same. There is still so
much more work to be done to realise the game’s full potential.
The sustainability of the modern football club is built on three
fundamental pillars: the men’s team, the women’s team,
and the academy. We have recently seen many men’s clubs,
including some of the traditional heavyweights in Europe, investing
in the women’s game and launching and developing successful teams.
Whilst I have been incredibly encouraged by this progress, it is now the
responsibility of all of us, as leading European clubs, to ensure we treat
each of these three pillars equally. This is something our supporters and
society expect and deserve.
But the reality is that the growth of women’s football can only be achieved
through taking creative action. This responsibility does not lie with just one
organisation alone, but will require the whole women’s football community
and its stakeholders to play their part. We must assemble a regulatory
framework, specific to women’s football, improve competitions and nurture
the next generation of talented female players.
I have been in the game long enough to fully understand the inequalities
that exist and my ability to do something about it. I’m therefore proud
as the chair of ECA’s Women’s Football Committee to support the
implementation of ECA’s bold new initiatives. Through ECA’s ‘Be a
Changemaker’ strategy, I am confident that women’s club football in
Europe can surpass all of our expectations.
JEAN-MICHEL AULAS
PRESIDENT, OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER, ECA
CHAIR OF WOMEN’S FOOTBALL COMMITTEE, ECA
#BEACHANGEMAKER
Contents
01 03
6 Foreword by Claire Bloomfield 12 Be a Changemaker: Introduction
7 The state of play 14 Be a Changemaker: Strategic Goals
8 Who do we represent? 26 Women’s High Performance
Task Force
02 04
11 Our vision, mission & values
29 What does success look like?
The state
of play
At ECA, women’s football is not just a
box-ticking exercise or an ‘any other
business’ item. It’s a priority. The full
weight of the organisation and our member
clubs are behind our ambitious plans to work
towards cementing Europe’s status as the
powerhouse of women’s club football.
To achieve lasting positive change that will truly transform the
levels of professionalisation, we must elevate multiple areas of
the women’s game simultaneously. A tall order, you might say.
But through ECA’s first ever women’s football strategy, ‘Be a Coronavirus has left football in a precarious position, but there will be
Changemaker’, we will chip away at the age-old argument ‘it deeper and more far-reaching consequences for the women’s game.
wouldn’t happen in the men’s game’ and break free from the
6 shackles that have held women’s football back for so long. The pandemic has highlighted the ECA and its member clubs have already 7
long-standing disparity between men’s reached several significant milestones in the
From unleashing the potential of European club competitions, and women’s football, with some industry women’s game in recent years, most notably
tackling critical, yet neglected areas of medical research and experts going as far as suggesting the in influencing the successful reform of the
optimising high-performance youth player pathways, ECA will impact of Covid-19 could set the women’s UEFA Women’s Champions League from
help clubs drive a better tomorrow for women’s football. game back a decade or more. 2021/22 and the inclusion of a centralised
commercial model. But for ECA, this is only
The ‘competitive on the pitch, collaborative off it’ ethos that is Not on our watch. the beginning.
synonymous with women’s football is one of the reasons I’ve
dedicated more than a decade to the game. The women’s game offers a new space Women’s football is in a unique position to
in which to innovate and although the take learnings from men’s football and do
But you can’t delegate change, you have to lead it, and at ECA, pandemic has indeed exposed the fragilities things differently. Rather than simply
along with our member clubs, that’s exactly what we intend to do. of the women’s football ecosystem, ECA is mimicking what has come before, the
uniquely placed to provide solutions to women’s game has an opportunity to set the
some of the industry’s toughest challenges. examples that the rest of sport can follow.
CLAIRE BLOOMFIELD
Of course, finding solutions in these unusually
HEAD OF WOMEN’S FOOTBALL, ECA
turbulent times will not come easily, but doing
nothing will cost us more.
ECA is the sole independent body directly representing
football clubs at European level. Since its creation in
spectrum. ECA is also a key convenor and
2008, ECA, the ‘voice of the clubs’, has positioned itself
a provider of expertise; delivering
as an important and respected stakeholder in the research, analysis and a range of member
international football landscape. services that aim to help its members
grow and thrive as both sporting
organisations and businesses.
ECA is the only organisation recognised by
FIFA and UEFA as representing European ECA exists to find positions of
clubs and the only body through which clubs compromise and consensus between
are represented in their decision-making clubs, develop fair resolutions to their’
organs. Membership comprises of 246 clubs pressing challenges and act as an
8 from all 55 UEFA National Associations, with independent, club-led organisation by 09
9
Who do we
an Executive Board representing the full placing clubs at the Heart of Football.
represent?
Our vision
A far-reaching, robust and influential
women’s club football ecosystem that Accountability
shows a clear path towards achieving
10 the same level of professionalisation 11
as in the men’s game. Community
Mission Respect
To drive, innovate and advocate a
professional and sustainable future Communication
for women’s club football whilst
protecting its integrity in moments
of challenge and change. Passion
Our
strategic
plan… Inspiring creative action
Together with the leading
to help clubs drive a
better tomorrow for
ECA’s ambitious new women’s football for the long haul and use adversity to
12 women’s football clubs across strategy, backed by some of the game’s most think big. They challenge each other, as
influential leaders, sets out creative action well as the status quo, and inspire and
Europe and our stakeholders to deliver lasting positive change whereby mentor their colleagues to do the same.
women’s football
UEFA, FIFA and FIFPRO, ECA is leading clubs from any and every European
part of a growing movement nation have an opportunity to be ECA’s ‘Be a Changemaker’ strategy
competitive, sustainable and have has an unshakeable mission and is
committed to making a a clear path to grow. built on bringing together a diverse
transformative difference to community, trusted and transparent
the women’s game. Though, an Since the most effective ‘changemakers’ are relationships, developing valuable
collaborators, facilitators, friends and allies resources and co-creating
intention alone is not enough... – beyond the 90-minute mark at least – our bold solutions that tackle the
approach aims to bring together those who biggest challenges facing the
share ECA’s commitment to advancing women’s game.
women’s club football, in an environment
that allows winning ideas to emerge.
Finding innovative solutions is no easy task,
but Changemakers understand they are in it
Enhance club player pathways
to provide a prosperous and
gender equality in
Full scale
sustainable future for the game
CEO, ECA
football is an ambitious goal
but one we embrace. Clubs have the
opportunity to drive this. They have Conduct analysis Provide advanced
across a variety of youth technical support
much more in common with systems throughout through a partnership
14
each other off-the-field than they Europe considering with ECA’s Youth Working 013
15
recruitment, training and Group and Women’s
have rivalries on the pitch, and infrastructure. Football Committee.
understand the needs, challenges
and solutions better than anyone.
That’s why we must work as
a collective, from top to bottom, to Produce case studies Develop best-practice Lead the
be the changemakers needed to enable and supporting digital plans that clubs can introduction of a
content that detail the adopt, demonstrating bespoke training
the women’s game to grow sustainably, most successful youth various player pathways, reward mechanism
to thrive and ultimately to prosper. systems for girls. including feeder club and associated
systems and certificates regulations for young
of excellence. female players.
#BEACHANGEMAKER
Accelerate professionalisation,
empowering clubs to reach, maintain and
exceed improved minimum standards PRESIDENT, OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER, ECA
CHAIR OF WOMEN’S FOOTBALL COMMITTEE, ECA
Create services
that focus on
Carry out ‘health
checks’ in order to
Mobilise FIFA’s
Professional Women’s
I’m proud as the chair of
delivering practical
support to clubs.
provide informed
guidance on
Football Task Force
to co-create solutions
ECA’s Women’s Football 015
17
how clubs can improve for improved Committee to support the
and prioritise the minimum standards.
spread of resources. implementation of ECA’s bold
new initiatives. Through
ECA’s ‘Be a Changemaker’
Help clubs to
understand
Work with
stakeholders to
strategy, I am confident
the benefits of further develop the that women’s club football
a professional Club Licensing
infrastructure system, plus in Europe can surpass all
through varied regulations to
case studies. guide tournament of our expectations.
standards.
#BEACHANGEMAKER
Advance the economic development
of women’s football and identify
new commercial opportunities
MANAGER, CHELSEA FC WOMEN
Our success on the pitch can be
helped by winning off the pitch
and ECA’s bold new plans Negotiate improved UEFA
Women’s Champions
Equip clubs with the knowledge
to secure sponsorship deals and
18
can drive an even higher League commercial
opportunities with the
maximise club revenue streams
through a series of workshops, 017
19
performance culture support of a dedicated webinars and club visits.
Working Group.
throughout the women’s
game. The standards in elite
women’s football should Secure additional
investment for women’s
Work towards a
position whereby
Work closely with UEFA
on the Value of Women’s
not be any different from football by establishing ECA is a go-to Football study to deliver
financial contributions resource for expert a compelling business
the men’s and this strategy from the men’s European counsel on case for investing in the
club competitions. commercial matters. women’s game.
has the potential to start
closing that gap.
#BEACHANGEMAKERThe football system is made
up of two simple things: the
Boost the opportunities for clubs to
players on the pitch and
realise European ambitions through the those who give them the
development of the competition landscape opportunity to compete
at their best. The women’s
game is no exception. ECA’s
Explore the options
for a possible second-
Develop an online match
organising tool to facilitate
new strategy will help clubs
tier competition that friendly fixtures for and players to work together 21
provides clubs with the non-participating UEFA
opportunity to play Women’s Champions to achieve our shared dreams.
more relevant League clubs to meet
games in Europe. European opponents.
Thoroughly evaluate the Optimise existing
possible introduction of a competitions and create
Club World Cup including proposals for further
providing analysis of ownership, development of European club
format, access list and competitions beyond 2025.
commercial models.
CAPTAIN, JUVENTUS FC WOMEN & ITALY
#BEACHANGEMAKERFacilitate the successful
creation of new women’s
football clubs across Europe
HEAD OF WOMEN’S FOOTBALL, ECA
Introduce a multi-directional Implement a ‘care
We are part of agrowing scheme which offers guidance
to clubs launching a women’s
package’ which supports
clubs teetering on the verge
22
movement committed to team and those still in the early
years of their project.
of existence.
021
23
making a transformative
difference to the women’s
game. But you can’t delegate
change, you have to lead it, Create a directory of clubs Support the integration of
and at ECA, along with our willing to exchange their women’s football amongst
experiences in launching leading European clubs and provide
member clubs, that’s exactly a women’s team and case studies of best practices that
what we intend to do. facilitate club visits. demonstrate a clear correlation
with on-field success.
#BEACHANGEMAKERProduce ‘first of its kind’ research
studies that become a reference
point for the women’s game globally GOALKEEPER, ATLETICO MADRID & SWEDEN
I imagine the day when everyone
Identify priority topics Create a High-
Performance Task Force
has the opportunity to
through ECA’s dedicated
surveys and Women’s with club experts and explore how good they can
external research 25
Football Committee.
partners to launch timely become at playing football, without
and in-depth investigations. being held back by structural
reasons. ECA’s first women’s football
strategy aims to challenge and
Publish comprehensive Host educational clear the roadblocks of our
reports analysing workshops to provide
findings, plus action plans clubs with practical time and drive towards the new
clubs can implement. support to benefit from reality many of us picture.
new or recommended
best practices.
#BEACHANGEMAKERECA’s ‘Be a Changemaker’ strategy will match calendar, addressing this gap in knowledge
is ever-more important.
see the introduction of a new Task Force
dedicated to exploring high-performance But clubs are generally under-resourced in this
area, so despite being eager to participate in
topics that are specific to the women’s game.
research studies (65%, according to ECA’s
Women’s Football Survey in October 2020), they
The lack of sports science and sports medical simply do not have the means to investigate
research conducted on elite female athletes these topics in any great depth.
in football means it is a challenge to develop
evidence-informed approaches to training, The Women’s High-Performance Task Force
injury rehabilitation and female specific issues. will therefore be introduced as the research
arm of ECA’s women’s football specialist
With an increasing number of players competing groups and will be dedicated to producing timely
full-time, a shift towards professional leagues, studies on critical topics such as ACL prevention
the increased physicality and intensity of the and the impact of the menstrual
game and greater demands of the international cycle on training and performance.
26 27
Women’s
Bringing together club experts from across
Europe who work specifically with women’s
teams, plus external research firms and
academics, ECA will lead ground-breaking
investigations that aim to become a reference
High-Performance
point for the game globally.
Task Force #BEACHANGEMAKERBy achieving the goals set out in the clubs see these achievements as being as
much their success as that of ECA’s. Described
‘Be a Changemaker’ strategy, ECA will as ‘bold’, ‘forward-thinking’ and ‘action
have turned ambitious plans into lasting oriented’, ECA will have also gone someway to
positive change and encouraged changing the perceptions of the women’s
professional game – as well as fostering a
clubs and stakeholders to commit new-found solidarity with the men’s game.
to supporting a series of creative actions.
ECA, in its established role as industry
thought leaders, will be able to confidently
But being successful goes beyond simply demonstrate the added value to its members
providing services which clubs would and have credible evidence to back up its
otherwise not have access to, or rolling claims when talking to stakeholders and the
out professionalisation initiatives that only football community. Crucially, ECA will be proud
benefit a select few. Results must also of its ability to better anticipate challenges,
have a far-reaching impact and strengthen embrace creative disruption and protect the
Europe’s position in the wider women’s integrity of its mission to achieve a sustainable
28 29
football landscape. future for women’s club football.
The collaborative approach adopted from the The successful delivery will also assure
development to implementation phase of the women’s football clubs across Europe that
‘Be a Changemaker’ strategy will ensure that they have a trusted and reliable partner in
What does
ECA and will see the Administration and its
members go into the next four-year cycle
with renewed vigour, ambition – and
advocates for the women’s game.
success look like?
#BEACHANGEMAKEREuropean Club Association
Route de St-Cergue 9
1260 Nyon
Switzerland
ECAEUROPE.COM INFO@ECAEUROPE.COMYou can also read
