The ECA Women's Football Committee (WFC) gathered in Lisbon today at the occasion of the 2014 UEFA Women's Champions League Final.
Launched in 2013, the WFC is composed of both ECA Member Clubs with a women's section and selected non-ECA clubs. The aim of the WFC is to create a platform to discuss issues related to European and international women's club football and, ultimately, become the voice for women's club football in Europe.
At today's meeting, officials from 13 clubs representing no less than 12 different national associations were present to discuss how the Women's Champions League could be further promoted. Additonally, the clubs raised some concerns with respect to the Women's International Calendar.
During the meeting, the members were presented with an analysis on women's club football dealing with topics such as women's club structure, strategic issues, relation with stakeholders as well as key success and constraint factors in the women's game. The aim of the analysis is to show the important contribution club football makes to the development of the sport. Even though international matches may be the key driver to promote women's football, it was made clear that the governing bodies should also recognise and reward the great efforts of clubs in this regard. The Women's Club Football Analysis can be downloaded here.
The following WFC Members were present today: 1.FFC Turbine Potsdam (GER), Birkirkara FC (MLT), Brøndby IF (DEN), FC Bayern München (GER), FC Honka ry (FIN), FC Levadia Tallinn (EST), FC Twente (NED), FC Zürich Frauen (SWI), NÖSV Neulengbach (AUT), Olympique Lyonnais (FRA), SK Slovan Bratislava (SVK), Umeå IK (SWE) and Valencia CF Femenino (ESP). Furthermore, representatives from the Champions League finalist VfL Wolfsburg as well as from the BeNelegue (BEL/NED) and Elitfotboll Dam were invited to take part in the discussions.
About the ECA Women's Football Committee:
In view of the growing interest and professionalization in women's football, the ECA Executive Board decided in spring 2013 to create a women's football committee under the ECA umbrella. The aim of this committee is to offer a platform allowing for European women's club football matters to be discussed and eventually brought up at UEFA/FIFA level. The WFC is chaired by ECA Executive Board Member, Jean-Michel Aulas (Olympique Lyonnais), who keeps the ECA Executive Board informed about discussions and progress made by the committee. The ECA Women's Football Committee will collaborates closely with UEFA to help develop women's football in Europe.