Bermuda Football Association Executive member and Chairperson of the Women’s Football Committee Shequita Parsons was part of the CONCACAF Women’s Football Leadership Group who held their second meeting, with the aim of discussing the Confederation’s efforts to further develop the women’s game.
The meeting, attended by representatives from across the region. It was chaired by Sonia Bien-Aime, member of the FIFA and CONCACAF Councils, who serves as President of the Turks & Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA).
“CONCACAF has taken a very important first step creating this group in order to advance women’s football,” said Bien-Aime. “The Confederation is on the right track, however, we need to increase our efforts by establishing a solid structure focused on this area. Our President, Victor Montagliani, takes women’s football very seriously, so I think we will see more results in the next years.”
Gwendolyn Salmon, Vice President from the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA), highlighted the progress of women’s football within the region.
“Women’s football development has come a long way. We are here in Orlando for a U-15 Girls’ tournament. Five years ago, who would have thought that girls would be able to compete internationally in football,” Salmon said. “Moving forward, we need to focus more on grassroots, coaching and hosting competitions to expose young players, while increasing their competitiveness.”
The group discussed areas of need, including coaching and youth competitions, as well as proposals on how to continue fostering the game’s growth by establishing solid foundations for domestic programs that sustain development.
One of the key topics up for discussion was the preparations for the 2017 CONCACAF Women’s Football Day, an initiative that unites all 41 Member Associations in support of the game.
The group also examined the possibility of hosting preparation workshops ahead of youth tournaments to allow for proper planning and the launch of the campaign “It’s Our Time”, which is geared towards increasing awareness of women’s football and promoting its benefits, while encouraging investment in the sport.
Members of the Women’s Football Leadership Group include:
Monique André, Executive Committee Member and President of Women’s Commission, Fédération Haïtienne de Football (Haiti)
Elieth Artavia, Women’s Football Development Director, Federacion Costarricense de Fútbol (Costa Rica)
Chantel Bird, Women’s Committee Chairperson, USVI Soccer Federation (US Virgin Islands)
Lyndell Hoyte-Sanchez, National Women Teams Manager, Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (Trinidad and Tobago)
Ana Rabell, Executive Committee Member and President of Women’s Football Commission, Federación Puertorriqueña de Fútbol (Puerto Rico)
Shequita Parson, Chairperson for Security and Executive Committee Member, Bermuda Football Association (Bermuda)
Gwendolyn Salmon, Vice President, Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (Antigua and Barbuda)
Mildred Wever, Women’s Football Coordinator, Arubaanse Voetbal Bond (Aruba)
Malaika Church (Grenada)
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