Women's round-up: October 2009

Women's round-up: October 2009
(FIFA.com) Thursday 29 October 2009
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With Marta heading home for the maiden Copa Libertadores, Europe's best competing for Germany 2011 berths and the world's top club teams jostling for position, it has been another exciting and eventful month in women's football. As always, FIFA.com is on hand to wrap up all the main developments.

Club football
Wheeling and dealing
The league may be in its close season, but the action in Women's Professional Soccer in the USA has proved unrelenting thanks to a frenzy of transfer activity. Among the more notable moves have been Gold Pride's acquisition of Canadian Candace Chapman, and USA stars Heather Mitts and Leslie Osbourne's switches to Philadelphia Independence and Boston Breakers respectively. Sky Blue FC have also shown that they have no intentions of resting on their laurels with a high-profile double swoop for Netherlands captain Daphne Koster and Carli Lloyd, scorer of USA's winning goal at the Women's Olympic Football Tournament last year.

Marta lights up Libertadores
After finishing as top scorer and player of the year in her debut WPS season, Marta might have been entitled to take a month or two off. Instead, the reigning FIFA Women's World Player opted to take on a new tough challenge: endearing the female game to an erstwhile sceptical Brazilian public. How she did that was by moving on loan to Santos, taking on the No10 shirt immortalised by Pele, and leading the Sereias da Vila Belmiro (Vila Belmiro Mermaids) into the first-ever Women's Copa Libertadores. With Marta pulling the strings, Santos took this new continental competition by storm, scoring 43 goals in a memorable campaign that culminated in a 9-0 final win over Paraguay's Universidad Autonoma. Perhaps even more impressive, the team's crowning moment drew a crowd of over 14,000 to the Vila Belmiro, comfortably topping the average attendance of 9,387 for Santos's men's Brasileirao fixtures this season.

Duo's dominance challenged
Arsenal and 1. FFC Frankfurt have monopolised the English and German championships for the best part of a decade. Both, however, find themselves playing catch-up as their league campaigns develop, with Frankfurt facing an especially tough battle to hold on to their crown. The reigning Bundesliga champions, who currently lie fifth behind the likes of Bayern Munich, old rivals Turbine Potsdam and current leaders Duisburg, even felt compelled to sack their coach, Gunter Wegmann, two weeks ago in their desperation to bring about a change. However, Wegmann's successor and former assistant, Sven Kahlert, who has taken charge until the end of the season, endured the worst possible start, losing 3-2 to Duisburg in his first match in charge. In England, meanwhile, Arsenal are steadily climbing the table after a period of inactivity during the Women's EURO, but still lie five places behind impressive early leaders Leeds Carnegie.

Roar set the pace
In Australia, the W-League's second season has begun as its first ended - with Brisbane Roar on top. The reigning champions remain unbeaten after four matches of their title defence, and last season's leading markswoman Courtney Beutel is once again setting the goalscoring pace. With Matildas stars such as Collette McCallum and Lisa De Vanna having returned from their respective WPS clubs to boost the league's profile, the quality on show has been impressive as Australia's top female talent attempt to make this fledgling league a regular fixture.

National teams
Road to Germany continues
It has been a busy month of FIFA Women's World Cup qualifiers in Europe, where most of the continent's big guns have made solid starts to their preliminary campaigns. The likes of Sweden, France, England and Norway all have maximum points thus far, although the Norwegians only just eked out a 1-0 win over Slovakia yesterday courtesy of an Alexandra Biroova own goal. Arguably the biggest shock thus far had come earlier yesterday afternoon, when Denmark - 15-0 winners over Georgia in their previous fixture - were held to a 0-0 draw by Bulgaria.

Giants collide in Augsburg
Tonight, Augsburg will become the centre of the women's football world as the little-known Bavarian city plays host to a titanic clash between Germany and USA. The two highest-ranked sides in the female game have monopolised the game's top honours over the years and, though this evening's match is merely a friendly, conclusions are sure to be drawn about the sides' prospects for next year's FIFA Women's World Cup. Can the US, Olympic gold medallists, humble the world and European champions in their own back yard? All will be revealed at the Impuls Arena.

Development
FIFA's development activities in women's football continue to touch all four corners of the globe, with initiatives in New Zealand, Jordan, Mexico, UAE, Bhutan, Barbados and several African nations over the months of September and October. After kicking off September with an intermediate level coaching course in Botswana and meetings in Lesotho and Malawi, it was on to Mexico for another coaching course that attracted representatives from 20 CONMEBOL and CONCACAF nations.

The activity only intensified in October, with yet more courses in Bhutan, Jordan - with Palestinian participants - UAE, Barbados and, finally, New Zealand, where a regional event attended by representatives of all ten OFC members continued the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup New Zealand 2008's Legacy Programme. This month also witnessed the launch in Namibia of 'Galz & Goals', a programme aimed at encouraging the development of girls between the ages of 11 and 15.

The quote
"I hope this momentum will not end here and that everything we have achieved will benefit the girls who play in Brazil. Football is for women too. I would love to see Santos's initiative inspiring other traditional clubs to support the women's game," Marta looks to the future after leading Santos to glory in the maiden Women's Copa Libertadores.

Arsenal's Akers' enduring legacy+

Arsenal's Akers' enduring legacy
(FIFA.com) Thursday 12 November 2009
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Every week on the Arsenal bench, there sits a man who has revolutionised English football, achieved huge success and earned a reputation for developing exceptional talent. Beside him sits Arsene Wenger. That’s because the man in question is Vic Akers, kit man for the Gunners men but someone who is better known throughout the English game as a pioneering figure in women's football.

When, in 1987, Akers knocked on the door of the Arsenal chairman to suggest forming a ladies team, he had no idea the proposal would change his life. The 22 years that followed saw him lead the Gunners ladies to 32 major trophies, steadily building a team that in 2007 won something Wenger’s men have thus far found elusive: the European title.

Yet, as he looks back on his many achievements, it is not this domestic and continental silverware, nor a five-year, 108-game unbeaten run in England, that the 63-year-old considers be his most notable feat. Nor is it the nurturing of world-renowned women’s stars such as Kelly Smith and Faye White. Instead, it is the advancement of the women’s game in his home country, and the success this has yielded, which Akers – who stepped down as Arsenal coach during the summer – considers to be his greatest legacy.

"That’s the achievement I think that I, and we all, can be most proud of," he told FIFA.com. "We took women’s football to a completely new level in this country. Seeing England getting to the final of the EURO was fantastic and, of course, I like to think I’ve played my part in that. Quite a number of those players have come through at Arsenal and I feel they've had a good education.

"You can see that any time England come up against the best teams in the world these days; they’re looking stronger and stronger. And the fact the English girls won the European U-19 Championship suggests that will only continue. The standard, both here and across the world, has improved on a yearly basis and it’s great to see."
Changing the women's league to a summer format is imperative because, as it is, we're competing with the Premiership and Champions League – and there’s only going to be one winner.
Vic Akers

The general picture may be positive, but Akers also believes that women’s football – domestically and globally – is approaching a crossroads. Continued progress, he believes, hinges on developing the various domestic leagues and, in England, that means switching to a summer format that avoids clashing with the dominant men’s scene.

"The league structure and the profile of the game are the main issues for us here in England, and both are interlinked," he said. "For me, changing the women's league to a summer format is imperative because, as it is, we're competing with the Premiership and Champions League, and there’s only going to be one winner.

"But people in this country love their football and, during the summer, when they are desperate to get along to a game, I think the prospect of watching their club's women’s team, in good weather and on a good pitch, will be a lot more attractive. I actually think people will love it. And the bigger crowds we get, the more TV exposure we receive, the sponsorship will follow and the better chance we have of keeping and attracting the best players - and making them even better.”

As for Akers himself, he continues to oversee the women's set-up at Arsenal in his role as general manager, although he admits to yearning for the day-to-day involvement he became accustomed to during his 22 years as coach. However, this Gunners stalwart is comforted by the mammoth strides the club has taken during his success-laden era, and suggests the Arsenal example has underlined the influence major clubs can, and should, exert in women’s football.

"I missed the coaching job immediately," he conceded. "But I made a decision, and I’m still there to provide the girls with guidance whenever needed. What I can assure them that they are at a club fiercely committed to its ladies team, and that has been the case ever since it started. I really do hope that more of the big clubs can start giving a similar commitment because the major clubs definitely have the muscle to push the women's game on to the next level."

FIFA promotes

FIFA promotes the development of women's football and pledges to support women's football financially and to give women players, coaches, referees and officials the opportunity to become actively involved in football. FIFA is helping to popularise the game by increasing public awareness and conducting information campaigns as well as overcoming social and cultural obstacles for women with the ultimate aim of improving women's standing in society.

Trophy Tour reaches Lusaka

Trophy Tour reaches Lusaka
(FIFA.com) Sunday 8 November 2009

The FIFA World Cup™ Trophy touched down in the Zambian capital of Lusaka on Saturday 7 November as it made the 31st stop of its African tour, accompanied by representatives from FIFA and The Coca-Cola Company.

A light smattering of rain fell upon Lusaka International Airport as the delegation were met by the Minister of Youth, Sports and Child Development, Kenneth Chipungu, and the President of the Zambian Football Association, Kalusha Bwalya. A military band regaled those present with music, adding a little colour to the welcome ceremony.

Trophy Tour touches down in Burundi+

Trophy Tour touches down in Burundi
(FIFA.com) Monday 9 November 2009

On Monday 9 November the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy was on show at the Stade Prince Louis-Rwagasore in Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi.

Accompanied by the entire Burundese government, from members of the national assembly to the senate, Burundi's head of state Pierre Nkurunziza unveiled world football's biggest prize in front of 20,000 spellbound fans of the beautiful game.

"I'm emotional and very touched," said Nkurunziza, who feels that the Trophy Tour can help boost football development in his country.

"Now that peace has returned, we must help our young people to blossom," he added before thanking FIFA and Coca-Cola for including Burundi in the tour, whose next and 33rd stop is Kigali in Rwanda.

Trophy in Nairobi+

Trophy in Nairobi
(FIFA.com) Friday 13 November 2009

The FIFA World Cup™ Trophy made its 34th stop on its tour of Africa when it arrived in Kenya on Thursday. It was received by President Mwai Kibaki, who declared the arrival was a great event in the life of the country.

"Winning the World Cup trophy is every footballer's dream and its arrival in Kenya is an opportunity to reconnect with one's soccer ambitions and to appreciate that dreams can come true," said Kibaki.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga was also on hand to welcome the Trophy, plus officials from FIFA and Coca-Cola before it made its way to the Nation Centre in Nairobi for a special ceremony. Indeed, such was the interest in its arrival that a special programme was aired on national television!

The Trophy Tour ends on 3 December in South Africa, the day before the Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup.

FIFA World Cup Trophy

FIFA World Cup Trophy:
Around the world in 225 days

FIFA and Coca-Cola are sending the official FIFA World Cup™ Trophy on its biggest-ever journey around the world, including to every African nation.

FIFA and Coca-Cola will take the real solid-gold trophy to 86 countries during a 225-day tour, enabling thousands of fans to enjoy a rare close-up view of the sport's biggest prize. The Trophy will travel 134,017 kilometres (83,274 miles) and visit every nation in Africa to give the continent's fans the once-in-a-lifetime experience of having their picture taken with it.

The ceremonial start of the tour was held today as FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter and Coca-Cola Chairman and CEO Muhtar Kent took the first steps with the Trophy on its journey. The Trophy will be flown from Zurich to its first stop in Cairo, Egypt later this week.

Free tickets to the Trophy Tour will be made available to consumers via Coca-Cola promotions in countries en route. At events in each city, fans can have a souvenir photo taken of themselves with the trophy, view a 3-D movie showcasing memorable moments of the FIFA World Cup, participate in interactive displays and enjoy other entertainment.