By Samindra Kunti
January 13 – The Belgian FA, the KBVB, has presented a roadmap to stimulate the growth of its women’s football. The KBVB wants 35,000 active members by 2016 and qualification for EURO2017.
In the last three years the results of the Belgian Red Flames, the Belgium women’s national team, have markedly improved and given a boost to women’s football in the country.
The KBVB wants to capitalise on this trend, and draws its inspiration from other high-flying sports.
“Volleyball and hockey are the examples, because they proved that a strong national team boosts the grassroots and increases membership,” said KBVB CEO Steve Martens to local media.
In the autumn of 2014 the KBVB had 24,740 active members on its women’s football circuit. By 2016 the Belgian FA wants to add another 10,000 members. A roadmap with four fundamental pillars will help the KBVB achieve its ambitious goals. Qualification for EURO2017 would be the crowning glory of these plans.
The first pillar is the FIFA Live Your Goals Project that, with its financial support, is specifically aimed at grassroots. Belgium is only the second country worldwide to have a GOAL project for women’s football.
The second pillar is a women’s football academy in Leuven. 25 young girls are enrolled with a top sport status. “We learned from volleyball that high school athletes are important, but also their further development,” said Martens. “You need to provide a good combination of training, competition and studies.”
The Belgian Red Flames are the third pillar. They must qualify for EURO2017 in the Netherlands and further galvanize domestic women’s football. In February the Red Flames go to La Manga, where they will play friendlies against Ivory Coast and Spain. In March they are set to participate in the Cyprus Cup.
Finally, the fourth pillar is the foundation of a new women’s league. The BeNe League, a joint league supported by the Belgian and Dutch FA, will come to an end in the spring after only three seasons. The Dutch FA questioned its sustainability and lack of competitiveness.
“Talks between the Belgian FA and the clubs are ongoing,” said Martens.
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