SIGA Sport Integrity Week
Her game too - a manifesto for change for women’s soccer
As part of SIGA SIW 2023, AS caught up with author of ‘Her Game Too’, Matt Riley, for a discussion on gender equality in soccer, the success of the Women’s World Cup and the impact of the Rubiales scandal
In this video Matt Riley, author of ‘Her Game Too’, discusses gender equality in the beautiful game, the success of the recent Women’s World Cup and the prospects for the future of the sport.
Two steps forward, one back
In 2022, the English, Norwegian and Irish football federations agreed to pay representatives of both the men’s and women’s senior international teams an equal amount.
The moves came after the US Women’s Soccer Team (USWNT) formally signed a historic collective bargaining agreement with U.S. Soccer in September last year, formally closing a long and sometimes acrimonious fight over equal pay.
Positive steps, it would appear are emerging but just as the women’s game was celebrating an incredible month after the record breaking 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia/New Zealand, the antics and subsequent rhetoric from Spain’s the President of the FA, Luis Rubiales, showed that there is still plenty of work to be done in the area of gender equality relating to football.
Role models
Speaking to AS, Riley looked at the figure of successful football players as key role models as a reference and source inspiration for a younger generation citing Megan Rapinoe as a key example and how other female players are developing a strong voice such as England captain Leah Williamson.
Riley also focused on the work being done by NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) where after various attempts to create a sustainable and buoyant domestic league, the NWSL has established itself as a successful model where teams such as San Diego Wave and the recently established Angel City FC have been able to generate sellout games, connect with a new fanbase in sport heavy cities and create a community based fan matchday experience where no racial, idealogical or gender barriers exist.
Governance
Riley is convinced that good governance is essential in being a driver for change. Football federations need to be less “male, pale and stale” and be prepared to offer equal possibilities for young girls and boys starting off in the game. He added that an “opportunity for all” approach is essential. Concluding, the University of Exeter lecturer and author is convinced that women’s football has generated an “unstoppable momentum” and that even incidents such as the Luis Rubiales post World Cup ceremony celebrations have been instrumental in provoking healthy debate within society, not just in Spain but across the world.
Sport Integrity Week
AS is proudly hosting SIGA Sport Integrity Week this morning, Wednesday 6 September. Over the week SIGA, the world’s leading organisation for sport integrity, is advancing the integrity agenda with a thought-leadership event taking place across the entire planet.
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