|
TAKING A LOOK AT THE NIWFA
BY ANDY CRAIG (NorthlandRaidersfc)
Did you see the Recent IFA European Championships on Sky? Having caught your attention, if at all, you might just have lingered there for a moment or two mildly amused or mesmerised, before quietly dismissing the spectacle as not really football at all - well, football it most certainly was - same ball, same laws, same passion, same commitment and probably the same bad refereeing. Womens football continues to be identified by a range of the world sports organisations as one of the fastest growing sports on the planet. It has now in access of 32 million participants worldwide and it continues to grow at an amazing pace. The last world cup in America attracted global television coverage and the final itself, America v. China drew a crowd of 80,000 fans. Yes, its football all right. Northern Ireland also reflects the popularity of the sport, which is starting to infiltrate a number of traditionally no-go areas, for example 17% of girls grammar schools included girls football in their curriculum last year - locally, Holywoods Sullivan Upper took the first ever Schools Cup for Girls, in May this year - the first time the school had put a female football team into a competitive competition, incidentally beating Glenlola Collegiate in the final. More and more youngsters, who frankly would have been dismissed as social outcasts or labelled tomboys or worse a few years ago, today are hungry to be involved and be given the opportunity to participate in one of the worlds most popular sports and why not? Ladies football in Northern Ireland however, is not a new thing, it has been around since the seventies and has structured itself with the formation of the Northern Ireland Womens Football Association, the sports governing body, who are affiliated to and now working closely with the I.F.A., both associations recognising the need to develop and capitalise on the incredible demand that is clearly evident in Northern Ireland - more and more females, from all sections of the community, from ages from as young as 8 upwards want to play and whereas before, they would be shepherded towards socially acceptable sports like hockey, netball, today more and more parents are actively encouraging their daughters to get involved in what is, after all, a healthy, aerobic and active team sport - its coming and its coming to a school or a park near you. BACKGROUND Currently in Northern Ireland there are 29 ladies football clubs competing in four separate divisions. The clubs are scattered geographically all over the Province with clubs in Enniskillen, Omagh, Newcastle, Newtownards, Ballymena and Carnlough to name a few, as well as a concentration of clubs within the Greater Belfast area. The league runs through the summer from April to September, with the four championships, as well as four divisional cups and one league cup up for grabs - so there is an awful lot of football being played at present all over the Province. Incidentally, Germany deservedly won the European Championships for the 5th time in 6 years, beating Norway with a Claudia Muller extra time goal. This confirms them as the best European hope for the next Womens World Cup, which will take place in China in 2003.
|  |
|
CODE OF CONDUCT
The Northern Ireland Womens Football Association recognises the right of every individual to participate in the sport of Soccer regardless of race, age, ability, religious belief, sexual orientation, political opinion or cultural identify- We shall therefore encourage all members, players, officials, spectators and coaches to behave in a manner which reflects this spirit of tolerance and understanding. Specifically, we shall encourage all members, players, officials, spectators, coaches and referees to retrain from: using foul and abusive language using sectarian language or banter waving flags or using emblems which could be interpreted as provocative singing sectarian songs or rhymes using salutes or gestures which could be interpreted as provocative behaving in a manner which would bring the good reputation of the Association. into disrepute behaving in a boorish manner at social gatherings including annual award ceremonies Failure to abide by this Code of Conduct by any player, team official referee or spectator will result in disciplinary action either by the ruling body or the council or both. Enforcement Enforcement of this Code of Conduct is the responsibility of every member affiliated to the Northern Ireland Womens Football Association. Complaints about any individuals, players, coaches, team, officials, referees or clubs will be dealt with speedily by the Disciplinary Committee and the Burden of Proof shall test with the accused party to prove their innocence. Penalties Penalties for failure to comply with this Code of Conduct shall include: fines bans expulsion loss of league points loss of Cup tie Should you decide to join the N.I.W.F.A. your club will be asked to sign this Code of Conduct and therefore be subject to its terms and conditions
Enter content here
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
