FIVE IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT WOMEN’S FOOTBALL (THAT PROVE THE SPORT IS FOR EVERYONE!)
Nowadays, there is a successful Women’s Football Association (WFA) and even a winter English Women's Super League in the UK and Europe. Why is this important? It shows a positive movement for females in football; this means that girls now have the chance of success at major tournaments, it is their opportunity to reach the top tier of professional teams and seek out a career in football, if they so wish.
Sam Kerr is the 27-year-old captain of the Australian women's national football team and plays professionally for Chelsea in the English FA Women's Super League. She is the all-time goal scorer in the American NSWL and Australia’s Women’s League. Kerr has earned her fair share of honours including a nomination for the FIFA best player award. She is a prolific goal scorer and the highest-rated female player in FIFA 19 (her rating is higher than that of Mohamed Salah!). Well-known for her goal celebration backflips, Kerr is doing pretty spectacular things to pave the way for females in football.
Brazil’s Marta Vieira da Silva was given the nickname “Pelé in skirts” by Pelé himself. Marta is often regarded as the greatest female player of all time and has been named FIFA World Player of the Year six times. This is not only a record for female players but for men too. Marta is an inspiration in women’s football, you only need to check out her fantastic goals and football capabilities to see how much she has contributed to women’s football.
Back in 2012, The Reggae Girlz, Jamaica’s national women’s team had their funding cut in favour of the men’s team. Cedella Marley, the eldest daughter of reggae legend Bob Marley, helped revive the team who went on to become the first Caribbean squad to ever compete at the World Cup. Cedella donated money as well as organising a campaign to raise funds for the team through her music and the single release “Strike Hard”, in honour of the campaign.
On 5th December 1921, the Football Association banned women from playing the sport on FA-associated pitches. This meant that women could no longer play at real grounds with spectators or a referee. The FA branded the game as being, "quite unsuitable for females" and something that "ought not to be encouraged". The ban was finally lifted in 1971, and keen female players were suddenly able to go out and play the game they so loved, once again. A few years later the formation of the Women's Football Association (WFA) cemented the right for girls and women to play football, professionally.