Developments in women's football

Women's football has developed significantly in recent years. The popularity is growing and the number of girls playing football is increasing. Important pioneers in both the Netherlands and America play a major role in this. In America, this sport is more developed on the women's side than on the men's side. Below you can read more about women's football in the Netherlands and America!

Since the first recorded women's football match in 1892, a lot has changed. Previously, women were not taken seriously and were not allowed, for example, to play football on the same fields as men, it is now impossible to imagine a world without women's football. on the contrary! To get a better picture of the developments in women's football, we will focus on several factors that play a role.

• Increasing media interest in women's football.
• Influence players and role models.
• Facilities improvements.
• International popularity.

Media attention

National (and international) media also do not ignore developments in women's football. More and more sites like Vrouwenvoetnieuws.nl Take a closer look at women's football and publish many interesting articles online every day about all developments in domestic and foreign women's football. Women's team matches are also increasingly being broadcast.

Take the UEFA Women's Champions League as an example, where Ajax reached the quarter-finals. Then I didn't even mention the World Cup, the European Championships, the Olympic Games… At the college level in America, the top level matches have been broadcast for years on ESPN with typical American commentary.

Influence of players

Famous names like Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan are American role models for the new generation when it comes to women's soccer players. Rapinoe has spoken publicly about equality between men and women in football since 2016, which has made a huge difference around the world. Rapinoe himself has also tried combining sports and studies. She played for the University of Portland during her college career.

Morgan made a splash at home and abroad at Olympique Lyonnais, among others, where she won the UEFA Women's Champions League. Morgan currently plays for the San Diego Wave in the NWSL (National Women's Soccer League). University of California – Berkeley is the university where Morgan studied and played her games. In the Netherlands, many now famous players have also left for America in the past to play there for a period at university level. Take, for example, Meryl Van Dongen, who played for several years at the University of Alabama. Former national coach Sarina Wegmann also played in college in America. She played her matches at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill for a year. In today's football, these individuals are heavily involved in international football.

amenities

Facilities within women's football have improved significantly in recent times. Not only are more and more matches being played in stadiums, but training facilities are also improving. Also consider developments in injury prevention and performance analysis.

America is a pioneer in this matter. In college, there are many people within the school teams responsible for different functions. Each team has multiple coaches, but there are also physical coaches, athletic trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, etc. In America they leave nothing to chance and guide boys and girls in the best way possible.

International popularity

Women's football is becoming increasingly popular around the world. Especially after our Orange team's victory in the 2017 European Championship, the numbers in women's football exploded! When we look at America, we find that more and more international girls are finding their way to America to combine football with studying at a university or college. Fun fact: During the World Cup tournament in Australia and New Zealand, more than 100 players with experience at America's highest collegiate level (NCAA D1) participated.

Also more and more Dutch girls are moving to America. Every year, KingsTalent guides dozens of girls who play at different levels in the Netherlands to America to combine sport and study and have an unforgettable experience! As in the Netherlands, there are different levels in America, which makes it possible for many athletes to make a step towards America.

Would you like to get more information about sports and studying in America? Does this sound like a great adventure to you? Then sign up to get our latest Women's football experience at VV Gemert We will contact you as soon as possible!

This article is the result of a collaboration between Vrouwenvoetbalnieuws.nl and KingsTalent.