By Paul Nicholson
April 15 – CONCACAF’s Club Licensing Department has published its first Case Study to showcase and promote best practice in the region. The study looks at the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) which is about to start its second season.
The confederation created its club licensing regulations in 2015. The aim of the the club licensing department “is to understand and safeguard club football, beach soccer and futsal, while raising the level of club management.”
The NWSL study provides real world examples of what does and doesn’t work, as well as shares a ‘tool kit’ of ideas from commercial programmes to player development/recruitment that other clubs, leagues and federations could adopt.
He shared experience of establishing the league and franchise highlights the challenges and potential solutions.
The NWSL was formed after the failure of the two previous women’s professional leagues (WUSA and WPS) in the US. The NWSL is supported by three CONCACAF member associations: Canada, Mexico and the US, though all the club franchises are based in the US
The three federations contribute to the salaries of a number of national team players, reducing the costs to clubs and ensuring the top talent is playing in the league.
The NWSL played its first season in April 2013 with eight clubs: Boston Breakers FC, Chicago Red Stars, FC Kansas City, Portland Thorns FC, Seattle Reign FC, Sky Blue FC, Washington Spirit and Western New York Flash.
In a first for women’s professional football in the US, all eight teams will play again this weekend when the season starts, with the addition of an expansion franchise in Houston.
In the inaugural 2013 final, Portland defeated the New York Flash, 2-0, in front of 9,129 fans at Sahlen’s Stadium in Rochester, New York.
FIFA executive committee member, and Turks and Caicos FA general secretary Sonia Bien Aime, said: “As we look to grow our women’s league, it is great to learn from what other leagues are doing in our region. The large crowds that Portland drew in this inaugural season is something truly outstanding.”
Natalie Lutz, CONCACAF club licensing co-ordinator was similarly positive. “We have noticed the key to the success of the league is ‘teamwork’. From three federations supporting one vision, to the right mix of US soccer departments working together to support the everyday operations of the league. On the pitch, the players have come together and performed, displaying a greater sporting level. We look forward to seeing organic growth of this league.”
Further case studies are planned focussing on one from Mexico and one from Central America, and one looking at the Red Stripe Premier League in Jamaica.
To read the NWSL case study go to: http://issuu.com/concacaf2013/docs/nwsl_cstudy2014_final/1?e=9006389/7461256
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