August 29 – The World Leagues Forum used the opportunity of the Women’s World Cup to bring together 15 Women’s Leagues for a meeting hosted by the Australian A-league.
Women’s leagues in attendance included the top women’s tiers from Mexico, USA, England, Germany, Japan and Australia.
The aim of the meeting was to discuss the development and progression of the Women’s game with fan engagement, commercial sustainability, and the women’s international match calendar key on the agenda for the meeting.
Moya Dodd, World Leagues Forum’s advisor on Women’s Football, who chaired the meeting in Sydney said: “The rapid growth of the women’s professional leagues means that gatherings like this are especially valuable for league leaders to exchange best practices, discuss their shared perspectives, and collaborate on progress. Clubs and domestic leagues are crucial to the journey towards professionalism and greater career opportunities for our best players.”
Representatives of players’ union FIFPro also attended the meeting, discussing with league executives the well-being of players and safe environments – topics that have been once-again thrown into global focus with the behaviour of Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales at the presentation ceremony at the World Cup final.
Jerome Perlemuter, World Leagues Forum General Secretary said: “I am thrilled to see that the World Leagues Forum, originally founded by men’s national leagues, has expanded into an inclusive platform that is now able to unite women’s leagues globally. We are dedicated to supporting these women’s leagues in sharing knowledge and developing a sustainable landscape for football.”
The Women’s Leagues will meet again in the US around the NWSL final this November.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1714636585labto1714636585ofdlr1714636585owedi1714636585sni@o1714636585fni1714636585