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Ana Llompart, born in Palma de Mallorca, is one of the coordinators of Foro Fútbol Para la Igualdad (“Football For Equality”). This congress will be organised with the aim of giving visibility and support to women’s football. It will take place from the 1st to 3rd of September in Mallorca, with renowned guests from countries such as Brazil, France and Argentina. In the following interview, Ana reveals her point of view on the evolution and challenges that women’s football face.
What is the mission of Fútbol Para la Igualdad?
Fútbol Para la Igualdad has as its main maxim to give visibility to women’s football as well as to support gender equality in sport. In the XXI century we are still a long way from understanding equality as a natural issue, as in many sectors decisions continue to be made in a rather hermetic scheme. Men continue to occupy positions and responsibilities above women and football is one of those sectors, in which male athletes receive more resources and attention as well as marketing impact. This mission is born from the need to continue working to achieve this visibility and, above all, to contribute to make equality something natural.
“We are still far from understanding equality as something natural”
The congress is having a great acceptance among athletes, brands and institutions. Are we seeing a real change of mindset?
Fútbol Para la Igualdad consists of a series of conferences, lectures and colloquiums that have as a maximum to speak about equality from a sports, football and social scope. We will have interventions from different specialities professionals that will cover subjects from their respective perspectives. Thus, we will provide a broader vision from what has been done so far regarding equality and hoping this congress will more initiatives to keep working towards this goal. It is a forum to learn, but also to think about new paths in favor of women’s football equality. We hope this congress to be the beginning of a change of mentality, that is already incipient either by the natural social movement or by the conferences and debates that are already taking place. We hace perceived this project as necessary from nay entities inside and outside the island, understanding the need of boosting this change of mindset.
What do you think is the way for women’s football to keep growing in the next years?
I think women’s football is really valuable, like any other sport practiced by men or by women. In this case, in order to make a step forward, women’s football needs the main sports institutions to assume their responsibility in supporting clubs to create their women’s area as something normal. The girls are working very hard and should continue like this, but their growth will be even greater if they receive real support from sports institutions, investing equally in men and women.
“Women are pushing very hard and should receive more support”
UEFA Women’s EURO finished a few days ago in the Netherlands, will it become a turning point as Canada 2015 World Cup?
I hope so, and if possible I expect it to go a bit further.. The need of supporting women’s football either nationally and internationally is starting to be understood. This growth process that started some years ago might get closer and closer to women’s pillars.
What do you think about the evolution of women’s football in Spain and Brazil?
I must say that although there are still many areas that need to improve, the evolution is being positive. Many national and regional teams have already a women’s team and I believe that we are closer to see all biggest clubs doing the same. Without a doubt, women’s football will soon become more and more important and we will start seeing its increasing presence in press news. And why not, media will talk about the women’s football Messi or Ronaldo.