Wood becomes first female president of New Zealand FA
April 3 – Johanna Wood has been elected the first female president of New Zealand Football (NZF) in an overhaul of the ruling body’s governance following a tumultuous 2018.
Women
Lyons, Man City, Atletico Madrid and North Carolina Courage women lined up for ICC
April 2 – The second year of the Women’s International Champions Cup, the women’s version of the men’s International Champions Cup (ICC) organised by Relevent Sports, will be played as a four-team tournament in August at North Carolina Courage’s WakeMed Soccer Park.
English scourge: Chelsea knock PSG out of WCL in another last gasp thriller in Paris
March 28 – Chelsea progressed to the last four of the Women’s Champions League after eliminating Paris Saint-Germain 3-2 on aggregate with a dramatic stoppage time goal from Maren Mjelde.
Juve women debut in Turin’s Allianz Stadium in front of record 39,000
March 25 – Juventus’s women captured the imagination of the public as they drew a record 39,000 fans to their first ever home game at Turin’s Allianz Stadium in a top-of-the-table 1-0 win over Fiorentina.
Indian women extend SAFF unbeaten run to 23 games to take 5th title
March 25 – India retained their SAFF women’s crown by defeating Nepal 3-1 in the final to win the tournament for a fifth consecutive time.
FIFA rules out artificial pitches for Women’s 2023 World Cup bidders
March 22 – FIFA has moved to prevent the use of artificial pitches at the 2023 Women’s World Cup after the 2015 tournament in Canada was marred by controversy over artificial turf.
France 2019 World Cup completes National Supporter line-up with Orange deal
March 20 – Women’s football is on a commercial roll. With nine nations confirmed as formally expressing interest to host the 2023 Women’s World Cup yesterday, the France 2019 Local and Organising Committee and FIFA have announced the sixth National Supporter sponsor for the World Cup to be played June 7 to July 7.
Joint Korean bid lines up against eight rivals for 2023 Women’s World Cup hosting
March 19 – A record nine nations, including a ground-breaking joint initiative from north and south Korea, have expressed interest in hosting the 2023 Women’s World Cup, further evidence of how the global women’s game is growing in popularity.
Argentine FA commit to funding support for new women’s pro league
By Samindra Kunti
March 18 – The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has confirmed that the domestic women’s game will have a professional tier with the governing body saying it wants to establish a pro league later this year.
Sharing Budweiser: Brewer adds England women to roster alongside men’s deal
March 15 – Budweiser has expanded its English football sponsorships becoming an Official Partner and the Official Beer of the England Women’s Football Team, a moniker it already holds for the men’s team.
Colombian women win battle to keep pro league financed
By Samindra Kunti
March 13 – Colombian women’s football players have won a first battle in their fight for an equal playing field by saving the pro league which the Colombia Football Federation (FCF)wanted to disband.
Nike join VISA on UEFA Women’s Football partner roster in 5-year deal
March 13 – Nike has signed a five-year exclusive deal with UEFA Women’s Football to supply their ball to all UEFA women’s competitions and become an official partner of the Together #WePlayStrong campaign.
Colombian women battle FCF discrimination, disappeared cash and a disbanded pro-league
By Samindra Kunti
March 11 – The lid has been well and truly blown off on the cover-up of the abuses the Colombia women’s national team have endured over the last few years at the hands of the Colombian Football Federation (FCF). In an interview with Insideworldfootball Colombian player Melissa Ortiz highlights the systematic mistreatment and neglect the players have had to deal with it.
New regime, same result: Aussie women beat Argentina to Nations Cup
March 8 – Australia’s women’s team won the inaugural Nations Cup on home soil with a 3-0 win against Argentina. The win was welcome news for the Matildas in the lead up to the World Cup after the recent sacking of coach Alen Stajcic.
Lucozade Sport sign first women’s team sponsorship as England ready for France 2019
March 8 – Lucozade Sport has signed its first sponsorship in women’s football as the official sports drinks and hydration partner of the England Women’s team ahead of the France 2019 World Cup.