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Image via Getty FIFA are setting up a £200m fund to promote the professionalisation of women’s football worldwide, with a specific focus on youth player development.Football’s governing body discussed a £25m yearly payout to clubs that actively develop young players – each club would receive a payment every time they sign a player under the age of 23. The new system not only incentivises clubs to focus on the next generation, but also rewards those who have already invested in the future of women’s football.In recent years, England’s top-flight – the WSL – has seen more youngsters breaking through and signing professional contracts than ever before. Chelsea’s Lexi Potter became England’s youngest women’s professional player at just 17 earlier this year. Most recently, the Blues also announced the signing of academy graduate Ashanti Akpan, whilst Manchester United have seen Canadian international, 22-year-old Jayde Riviere, go from strength to strength since signing her first pro contract with the Red Devils in January. Meanwhile, across the pond, teenagers have been running the NWSL for a few seasons now. San Diego Wave’s Jaedyn Shaw and Angel City’s sister duo, Alyssa and Gisele Thompson, are all under the age of 20. Not to mention 16 year olds Melanie Barcenas and Chloe Ricketts becoming the youngest players in the league’s history earlier this year.Women’s football is growing at lightning speed, especially after a Women’s World Cup that saw young players breakout on the international stage. A few years ago, it would have been rare to see a 16 year old represent their country at senior level, or teenagers playing week in and week out for some of the game’s biggest clubs. Now, it’s becoming more common for girls and young women to make a name for themselves in the same way boys and young men have been doing for generations. Women’s football deserves the same focus on youth player development as the men’s game, and FIFA’s new fund could see a rise in next gen talent over the next few years. The future is now.
FIFA Set Up £200m Fund to Support Women’s Youth Player Development
The future's looking bright.
FIFA Set Up £200m Fund to Support Women’s Youth Player Development
The future's looking bright.
Image via Getty FIFA are setting up a £200m fund to promote the professionalisation of women’s football worldwide, with a specific focus on youth player development.Football’s governing body discussed a £25m yearly payout to clubs that actively develop young players – each club would receive a payment every time they sign a player under the age of 23. The new system not only incentivises clubs to focus on the next generation, but also rewards those who have already invested in the future of women’s football.In recent years, England’s top-flight – the WSL – has seen more youngsters breaking through and signing professional contracts than ever before. Chelsea’s Lexi Potter became England’s youngest women’s professional player at just 17 earlier this year. Most recently, the Blues also announced the signing of academy graduate Ashanti Akpan, whilst Manchester United have seen Canadian international, 22-year-old Jayde Riviere, go from strength to strength since signing her first pro contract with the Red Devils in January. Meanwhile, across the pond, teenagers have been running the NWSL for a few seasons now. San Diego Wave’s Jaedyn Shaw and Angel City’s sister duo, Alyssa and Gisele Thompson, are all under the age of 20. Not to mention 16 year olds Melanie Barcenas and Chloe Ricketts becoming the youngest players in the league’s history earlier this year.Women’s football is growing at lightning speed, especially after a Women’s World Cup that saw young players breakout on the international stage. A few years ago, it would have been rare to see a 16 year old represent their country at senior level, or teenagers playing week in and week out for some of the game’s biggest clubs. Now, it’s becoming more common for girls and young women to make a name for themselves in the same way boys and young men have been doing for generations. Women’s football deserves the same focus on youth player development as the men’s game, and FIFA’s new fund could see a rise in next gen talent over the next few years. The future is now.
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Image via Getty FIFA are setting up a £200m fund to promote the professionalisation of women’s football worldwide, with a specific focus on youth player development.Football’s governing body discussed a £25m yearly payout to clubs that actively develop young players – each club would receive a payment every time they sign a player under the age of 23. The new system not only incentivises clubs to focus on the next generation, but also rewards those who have already invested in the future of women’s football.In recent years, England’s top-flight – the WSL – has seen more youngsters breaking through and signing professional contracts than ever before. Chelsea’s Lexi Potter became England’s youngest women’s professional player at just 17 earlier this year. Most recently, the Blues also announced the signing of academy graduate Ashanti Akpan, whilst Manchester United have seen Canadian international, 22-year-old Jayde Riviere, go from strength to strength since signing her first pro contract with the Red Devils in January. Meanwhile, across the pond, teenagers have been running the NWSL for a few seasons now. San Diego Wave’s Jaedyn Shaw and Angel City’s sister duo, Alyssa and Gisele Thompson, are all under the age of 20. Not to mention 16 year olds Melanie Barcenas and Chloe Ricketts becoming the youngest players in the league’s history earlier this year.Women’s football is growing at lightning speed, especially after a Women’s World Cup that saw young players breakout on the international stage. A few years ago, it would have been rare to see a 16 year old represent their country at senior level, or teenagers playing week in and week out for some of the game’s biggest clubs. Now, it’s becoming more common for girls and young women to make a name for themselves in the same way boys and young men have been doing for generations. Women’s football deserves the same focus on youth player development as the men’s game, and FIFA’s new fund could see a rise in next gen talent over the next few years. The future is now.
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FIFA Set Up £200m Fund to Support Women’s Youth Player Development
The future's looking bright.
Image via Getty FIFA are setting up a £200m fund to promote the professionalisation of women’s football worldwide, with a specific focus on youth player development.Football’s governing body discussed a £25m yearly payout to clubs that actively develop young players – each club would receive a payment every time they sign a player under the age of 23. The new system not only incentivises clubs to focus on the next generation, but also rewards those who have already invested in the future of women’s football.In recent years, England’s top-flight – the WSL – has seen more youngsters breaking through and signing professional contracts than ever before. Chelsea’s Lexi Potter became England’s youngest women’s professional player at just 17 earlier this year. Most recently, the Blues also announced the signing of academy graduate Ashanti Akpan, whilst Manchester United have seen Canadian international, 22-year-old Jayde Riviere, go from strength to strength since signing her first pro contract with the Red Devils in January. Meanwhile, across the pond, teenagers have been running the NWSL for a few seasons now. San Diego Wave’s Jaedyn Shaw and Angel City’s sister duo, Alyssa and Gisele Thompson, are all under the age of 20. Not to mention 16 year olds Melanie Barcenas and Chloe Ricketts becoming the youngest players in the league’s history earlier this year.Women’s football is growing at lightning speed, especially after a Women’s World Cup that saw young players breakout on the international stage. A few years ago, it would have been rare to see a 16 year old represent their country at senior level, or teenagers playing week in and week out for some of the game’s biggest clubs. Now, it’s becoming more common for girls and young women to make a name for themselves in the same way boys and young men have been doing for generations. Women’s football deserves the same focus on youth player development as the men’s game, and FIFA’s new fund could see a rise in next gen talent over the next few years. The future is now.
