Development of women's football : a local study

Abstract

This research focuses on identifying the main challenges which women's football is continually facing. The intent of this study is to analyse these challenges, and suggest ways in order to eliminate their negative effects. Additionally, this study focuses on finding the factors which enhanced the increase in participation and the development of the women's game. The research approach adopted in this study is the qualitative method as twelve indepth interviews were carried out with 4 administrators, 3 players, and 5 coaches. These interviewees were chosen from different backgrounds having first-hand experience in the field. The findings from this research provide evidence that women's football has developed in the last decade. The number of girls taking part in football drastically increased due to the hard work of few dedicated people. However, female football is facing a lot of challenges mainly; stigma, inequity, lack of support from mother clubs, lack of exposure from the media and also lack of opportunities for girls to play football. The Malta Football Association needs to work in collaboration with the educational system in order to provide football sessions for all the children in schools. In this way as from a young age, children are taught that football can be played by everyone, and this will also lessen bullying and labelling on girls who play football. The number of women in leading roles and administrative work needs to be increased in order to have more role models and more people working for the development of women's football.