The Importance of Developing Female Coaches in Football
Nigeria manager Randy Waldrum recently highlighted the need for football to do a better job of developing female coaches. His comments came in the wake of South Africa’s exit from the World Cup, leaving just one female coach, England’s Sarina Wiegman, remaining in the tournament. Waldrum’s passionate plea for the development of female coaches was made during a press conference ahead of Nigeria’s round of 16 match against England. He also called on the federation to provide more investment into the national side.
Despite being ranked 40th in the world, Nigeria has performed exceptionally well in this World Cup. They defeated hosts Australia 3-2 and finished at the top of their group, knocking out Olympic champions Canada in the process. Waldrum praised Wiegman’s coaching abilities and expressed hope that future tournaments would see a greater percentage of female coaches. Out of the 32 teams in the tournament, only twelve had female managers, with four making it to the knockout stage. However, after Norway, South Africa, and Switzerland’s exits, only Wiegman remains.
Waldrum commended Wiegman for her fantastic job with the England team, noting the progression they have made under her leadership. He emphasized the importance of having a plan and being disciplined both offensively and defensively. Waldrum believes that more women should be coaching in the sport and that there needs to be a larger push to have female coaches leading national teams. While there has been progress in this area, there is still a significant presence of male coaches in women’s football.
The coach educator also highlighted the need for a bigger investment in women’s and female coaching. He acknowledged that efforts are being made to increase the number of women involved in coaching but stressed the importance of changing the “boy’s club” mentality that still exists. More needs to be done on the women’s side to address this issue.
Before the tournament, Nigeria’s squad was embroiled in a bonuses dispute with its federation. Waldrum publicly supported his players, which angered the Nigerian FA. When asked how Nigeria could compete with better-funded nations, Waldrum called for further support from the federation. He credited the players for their determination and resilience in overcoming obstacles throughout their careers. While acknowledging the challenges they face, he believes that with the right support and investment, Nigeria can become a world power in women’s football.
This World Cup has seen three African teams make it to the knockout stages – Nigeria, South Africa, and Morocco. Waldrum argued that this is not surprising but rather a testament to the impact of investment. He pointed to the national training center in Morocco as an example of how investment is paying off. South Africa has also increased its investment in women’s football. The so-called underdog teams are coming into the tournament more tactically prepared than the bigger teams, which has caught some of them off guard. This demonstrates the need for more federations to invest in women’s football.
In conclusion, Randy Waldrum’s call for the development of female coaches in football is timely and important. The success of Nigeria and other African teams in this World Cup highlights the potential that exists when there is proper investment and support. It is crucial to break down barriers and change the mentality that still favors male coaches in women’s football. By investing in women’s football and providing opportunities for female coaches, we can create a more inclusive and successful sport.