lntroduction

As we near the conclusion of a most spectacular FIFA Womens world Cup, it is most appropriate we give some consideration to topics such as the one we are analyzing now - the différences in programming between men's and women's football. 
Women's football has been developing at varied rates in different parts of the world, slow in some areas, incredibly fast in some others, including Northem Europe North America, Oceania and parts of Asia in particular. This has been reflected in how différently some countries approach the development of women's football both at the domestic level and, of special interest, at the national team level.

It is the purpose of this presentation to illustrate some différences between men and women's football programming around the world and what this means for the future
 

Competition

One of the major différences between men and women's football is the pyramid of play". Men worldwide have access to a professional club structure and therefore a better level of competition on a reqular basis. Men must deal with pressure within their season, while women have no acces to a real, well-structured professional system of club soccer, they only play for a title - (a championship) and have inconsistent appositon (few good teams in their leagues). Japan is probably the only exception in the world where a profèssional women's league where decent salaries are being paid to some players. Norway and Germany have some of the top leagues in the world (good quality of players in 1st division - good coaching program) and it is not surprising that these two teams are ranked in the top 5. USA and china, our two finalists on Saturday, have chosen to create what would be considered a -'team in being" with their national team to counter the lack of structure for domestic club Competition. (this formula has also been integrated into the Korean women's program and has proven to be successful over a very short period of time considering their first involvement at the international level at this worl cup.)
 
 

How does this affect the development of women's football players?

Recruiting and keeping players /top level athlètes:

Attracting the best athletes to play the game. Although we now have access to a regular calendar internationally with both the FIFA women's world cup and Olympic games, we are still facing the fact that our game does not necessarily at this time recruit the top athletes in each country. Only a very few women in the world Can claim that they earn enough Money to live from this sport Others must combine their business career with playing the game. We will keep the keen, interested players but will not quite have the mass ta choose from. It is telling that many countries, outside of perhaps Saturday's finalists and perhaps maybe one or tow others at best, report that the number of serious candidates for national team selection numbers no more than maybe two dozen.
 

Quality / quantity of training sessions:

From a young age, football for young girls in many parts of the worid is considered more recreational by coaches and parents and even by club managers and administrators, this is due to a variety of reasons including cultural barriers, social pressures and no hope for a future in the game, financially. Therefore, the best coaches are often not involved in the women's game and those who are often have very  little experience in the game. This has a major impact on the development of technical skills. Their training time is also minimal. If young girls, like young boys, do not touch the ball on a regular basis, they do not improve. Even the top women's teams in the world competing in their respective 1st division league are still training minimally (3 times a week + games). If players have to combine another job with football, this reduce their availability- If you compare that to full men's professional players, the difference are striking. This training issue is probably the key to future development of young, females because better players will enjoy playing and will ultimately give a better show for spectators (another key issue for the future), We must have a systematic approach for the development of players (and coaches and refèrees) by ensuring sufficient repetifion of proper technique and teaching tactical skills.

Role models / the game is still  unknown to many !

More has been accomplished in the past 20 days in the overall promotion women's football than perhaps in the past 20 years. However, more needs to be donne to promote the game and our best players. This is also a question of time but must be considered at this moment since it does affect the growth of our sport. with the exclusion of perhaps USA, China and Norway, the top wmmen's soccer players are still unknown to the general public in most countries as well as to the young girls aspiring reach the top level of the game.

 Cultural Barriers

In many countries, the cultural barriers are minimizing the development of women’s football compared to the men's side. This also influences countries considered to be more open to women in spart; pressure by family to get on with more serious things; pressure by career choices; difficulty to combine sports and motherhood (having children around is not aften encouraged)

 Conclusion

While there are many différences between men's and women's football around the world, the central issue revolves around the lack of professonal clubs and leagues for women to compete in and commit themselves ful time in the sport. This lack of professional club football forces national associations to program more aggressively and intently for its national women's teams (should it want ta succeed) than even for it’s men's teams- It is therefore, in many ways, not surprising that the two countries with full time " teams in 1999 are in the finals on Saturday.

It also, means both conféderations and national associations must drive their  development programs down  the age ladder even fùrther in years to come to give younger players a more intense learning scenario- For example, in COCNACAF, the Pan-American games in Winnipeg, Canada later this month are hosting women football for the first time ever and we have chosen the u-20 level for these games to fast track the best young players heading towards the next FIFA women’s world cup in 2003.

As sorne countries have already implemented, the next step in international competition for girls at the u-17 level as well if we hope players can truly achieve their full potential, as players.

Does this indeed represent FIFA’s next steps in future programming decisions?