By Samindra Kunti in Brussels
August 28 – The Belgian FA (KBVB) has unveiled an ambitious five-year plan to develop and grow the women’s game, investing an additional €3 million into the domestic women’s game over the next two seasons.
The Red Flames didn’t participate in this summer’s World Cup, but the Belgian FA has presented a roadmap that should propel women’s football in Belgium to the next level. By 2024 the KBVB wants to double player participation from 40,000 to 80,000, see the national team among Europe’s eight best teams and grow the overall involvement of women in football – as referees, coaches and administrators.
Together with the Pro League, the KBVB has also vowed to invest in the Super League. The Belgian women’s topflight has been struggling financially with just six teams in the league. Last week however, Anderlecht qualified for the first time for the knockout stages of the Women’s Champions League.
National women’s youth teams will also benefit from a more structured set-up in the future. To raise awareness at the grassroots level, the Belgian FA intends to visit 80-100 schools per year, liaise with local clubs and introduce a schools competition.
To achieve those targets the Belgians will invest €3 million over the next two seasons with the help of ING bank, the first title sponsor of the women’s national team, as well as invest some of the returns of a successful men’s World Cup campaign in Russia last year in to the women’s game. In the future, the KBVB will conclude separate commercial contracts for the women’s national teams.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1732419810labto1732419810ofdlr1732419810owedi1732419810sni@o1732419810fni1732419810