For the first time ever in Europe, a FIFA Women’s Football Seminar took place on the lovely island of Malta. The Seminar, organised by FIFA with the close co-operation of the Malta Football Association between 11- 14 September, proved to be very successful.
Fourteen member associations met here in Malta to discuss and share their views and aspects over the improvement over Women’s Football.
The seminar, which was officially opened by Carmel Bartolo, Malta Football Association Senior Vice-President, comprised lectures and presentations on various themes of Women’s Football by the participants themselves. A practical demonstration was also put up at the Malta Football Association’s Training Grounds at Ta’ Qali, from the Malta Women Junior team, under the supervision of internationally renowned coach Ms. Pia Sundhage.
The practical session was followed by a meeting with the local Maltese Youth FA Clubs and Women’s teams’ representatives at the Centenary Hall. The significant importance of having women’s team taking an active part in local competitions was discussed and looked into. Ongoing difficulties which these Women’s teams’ representatives come up against was also discussed and taken into account.
On the final day, Ian Riley, FIFA instructor for Marketing put up an impeccable presentation "Marketing, Television and Sponsorship" in which Mr. Riley touched these three "hot" topics in the game of football with detailed information.
Eva Pasquier, FIFA Development Manager Europe had this to say to fifa.com just after the closure of the seminar "The main goal was that of bringing the 14 Women’s Football Member Associations together in Malta. All delegates had the chance to express their own views, share their experiences and to work over the future network of Women’s Football. Working on the input for the development of women’s football was another interesting topic discussed in the seminar.
The over all organisation put up by the local Malta Football Association turned out to be very positive indeed. Participation was also very good and very active even throughout discussions in working groups."
Urs Zanitti, FIFA Head of Development and Services Development Division also put his remarks over the seminar "I am sure this seminar proved to be an excellent platform of ideas and experience for all the participants. FIFA is responsible for the organization for the improvement and sharing of benchmarks in the development of the game”.
Feedback from this seminar in Malta resulted more than positive. The local Malta Football Association will be putting up a Women’s football seminar with the local clubs. FIFA will also be ready to help associations such as the Maltese Football Association with technical experts who will help them with ideas to move forward. It is very important to organise football events on a regular basis.
Josef Blatter’s message is that of "promoting women’s football all around the globe" and that is what FIFA is doing at the moment.
Thirty seven per cent of spectators who watch football are female - and this is very encouraging as regards women participating in the football game.
By the end of the year, FIFA will have organised six similar seminars on women’s football.