Poland – PZPN establishes separate women's football department

Women’s football in Poland is improving in organisational and sporting terms. Yet, despite attendance records being broken one after another, projects being developed in which girls are treated on equal terms with boys, cooperation with UEFA as part of the Playmakers programme for young girls, competition reforms and a considerable increase in financial outlay, women’s football in Poland still fails to be as recognisable as it could be. The PZPN recognises that now is the time for the development of women’s football to go faster.

Creating something new

“The women’s football department plans to focus on creating something new. Each department employee knows and understands the uniqueness of women’s football. That is why projects closely related to initiatives aimed at girls and women will be carried out by our team, in cooperation with other departments, of course,” explained Grzegorz Stefanowicz, who heads the new department.

In connection with the establishment of the women’s football department, work on a development strategy for women’s football has picked up pace significantly. This strategy will be used to develop new initiatives to engage more girls and women in football – not only football players but also coaches, officials, referees and volunteers.

The PZPN is in no doubt that any major achievement by the Polish women’s national football team would be of great help in attracting interest, as would hosting a large international event. Poland is therefore among the candidates to host the UEFA Women’s EURO in 2025.

This article originally appeared in UEFA Direct 197