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Time for us! Women's football strategy in Poland for 2022-2026

 02 / 02 / 23 Author: PZPN
Time for us! Women's football strategy in Poland for 2022-2026

On Thursday 2 February, at the PGE Narodowy, the Polish Football Association will present the "Women's football strategy in Poland for 2022-2026". This is the first such comprehensive document in the history of the association, setting out the goals and directions for women's football to influence its popularisation and development throughout the country.


Women's football has been an area of interest for the Polish Football Association for many years, being one of the four pillars of the association's day-to-day strategy. What has happened so far within the discipline can be described as laying the foundations for its further regular development, which is to be guaranteed by the "Women's football strategy in Poland for 2022-2026", adopted in November last year and publicly presented today at a special event at the PGE Narodowy. The creation of this document is a natural consequence of the direction taken by the Polish Football Association, aiming to strengthen the position of women and girls in the world of football. 

We all see the growing potential of and interest in women's games all over the world. The development of the first strategy in the history of PZPN entirely dedicated to women's football is a landmark moment for us and a long-term commitment. A coherent strategy allows us to organise the activities that have already been undertaken and those that we are planning. I am convinced that women's football must be treated as an integral part of football, because that is the only way it can reach its full potential. PZPN will do everything it can to make this happen. We want to fulfil the dreams of girls and women in our country, as well as our own - those related to the success of the Polish national team and the organisation of an international women's football event in Poland,' says Cezary Kulesza, President of PZPN.

STRATEGY AND RESEARCH PROCESS

The strategy document is the result of comprehensive consultations, research (qualitative and quantitative) and workshops with people representing different stakeholder groups in the football community. It takes into account the perspective of both the women's and men's football communities. The international football federations, UEFA and FIFA, also provided significant support to the preparation of the strategy. 

The strategy is developed as part of the activities undertaken by the European and world federations in this area. During our research and strategy work, we gathered a wide range of information from a variety of people involved. We see the enormous potential of women's football, which we intend to develop with our conceptual work based on it,' says Grzegorz Stefanowicz, Director of the Women's Football Department of PZPN.

ASSOCIATION'S COMMITMENT TO TAKE ACTION

In order to achieve sustainable change that will strengthen the position of women's football in Poland, it is necessary to take action in various fields. Therefore, within the strategy, four priority areas describing key ambitions and long-term goals were identified to lead women's football to the place it deserves.

Priority areas of the strategy and commitments of the PZPN:

Priority 1: PARTICIPATION 

We will increase the participation of girls and women in different roles in football. 

Priority 2: PROFESSIONALISATION 

We will raise standards and create professional conditions for the development of women's football.  

Priority 3: VISIBILITY AND IMAGE 

We will increase the visibility and create a positive and engaging image of women's football. 

Priority 4: EDUCATION AND AWARENESS  

We will provide knowledge on the specificity of women's football and strengthen the role of women in the football community. 

KEY ACTIONS

In each of the areas mentioned, a number of new activities and projects will be implemented by 2026. Key actions include developing a map of football academies and clubs with an offer for girls and women, organising free football festivals in each region, and educating teachers, coaches, parents, players and staff of women's football clubs. In addition to project activities, PZPN will also increase financial investments, for example, by launching a grant programme for Regional Football Associations to implement additional projects in women's football, doubling the financial rewards for winning the Polish women's championship as well as the second and third place in the top division, and increasing investments in regional football in younger age categories.

There will also be an increase in the number of people responsible for scouting in women's football in PZPN, as well as for the promotion and communication of women's football. A nationwide promotional campaign dedicated to girls and their parents will also be launched. The club licensing system currently in place in Orlen Ekstraliga will be developed and implemented in Orlen 1. Liga as well. Women working in football in Poland will also be given an opportunity to participate in development workshops including mentoring and networking elements.

These are just a few of the ambitious goals set by PZPN, the achievement of which is expected, among other things, to double the number of players, coaches and referees involved in women's football by 2026.

At the same time as approving the strategy, the PZPN published a supplement to the National Game Model under the title of "Women's Football". This is the first Polish publication of its kind devoted entirely to training in women's football, showing its specificities and providing coaches with the necessary knowledge in this area. In turn, the acquisition of a naming rights sponsor (PKN Orlen) for the women's competitions was announced in January: Ekstraliga, I liga and the Polish Cup. This is also the result of the implementation of the strategy, which was adopted by a decision of the board of the PZPN in November 2022.

TIME FOR US!

Football has great potential to engage and attract girls and women to the game, thanks to its strong roots in Polish culture. The implementation of this strategy will definitely help to make the world of football more inspiring, empowering and accessible for all girls and women. This is only the beginning of a journey that will require the support and involvement of the entire football community and its surroundings.

I am very pleased that PZPN has created this document because, just like on the pitch, a well-thought-out strategy is crucial if you want to succeed. I believe that together we will continue and accelerate the positive changes that are taking place in women's football in our country. We want to show how much passion, determination, strength and character there is in us. It's time for us!, adds Ewa Pajor, captain of the Polish women's national team and VfL Wolfsburg player.

"Women's football strategy in Poland for 2022-2026" can be downloaded below:

 Download 
Strategia_piłki_nożnej_kobiet_PZPN_WEB.pdf

29.91MB

 Download 
Women's_football_strategy_in_Poland_PZPN_WEB.pdf

29.95MB

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