In the world of women's soccer, the opening of dedicated training centers marks an essential step towards the professionalization and development of young talent. In France, the Fédération Française de Football (FFF) recently announced an ambitious development plan to support and promote the beautiful game among women. This plan includes the opening of training centers for D1 Arkema clubs, a first in the history of this championship. Let's take a closer look at how some of these clubs have embraced this initiative, and what benefits they are reaping from it.
paris fc opens its women's training center
Paris FC was one of the first clubs to seize this opportunity. On June 21, 2023, the Parisian club organized an information meeting for future residents of its training center and their parents. The event marked the start of a new era for the club, determined to play a major role in women's soccer.
For the 2023-2024 season, Paris FC has inaugurated its first women's training center with 23 young players from the U16F, U17F and U18F categories. Marie-Christine Terroni, President of Paris FC's women's section, emphasized the vital importance of this project for the club. "It's a unique opportunity for us to strengthen our structure and give these young girls optimal conditions to progress," she declared at the ceremony.
Marie-Christine Terroni also mentioned the decisive contribution of several key figures at the club, including Pierre Ferracci (Club President), Fabrice Herrault (General Manager), Samia Henni (General Secretary), Jean Marc Nobilo (Training Development Director) and Sandrine Soubeyrand (Arkema D1 Team Coach). Each of them contributed their expertise and passion to making this project a reality.
Jean Marc Nobilo, in his capacity as Training Development Director, explained how vital this center is to the development of women's soccer at the club. Antoine Ferreira, Head of Women's Recruitment at Paris FC, added that the center would attract the best young talent, helping to boost the team's competitiveness.
| Person | Role |
|---|---|
| Marie-Christine Terroni | President of the women's section |
| Pierre Ferracci | Club President |
| Fabrice Herrault | General Manager |
| Samia Henni | General Secretary |
| Jean Marc Nobilo | Training Development Director |
| Sandrine Soubeyrand | Arkema D1 team coach |
Angelo Castellazzi, Sports Director of PSG's women's section, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative. The Parisian club welcomed its first class of players on August 2, 2023, with 34 talented youngsters aged between 15 and 19. Headed by Sonia Haziraj, the training center offers comprehensive support: sporting, academic and socio-educational. "Our aim is to prepare these young girls to excel both on the pitch and in their personal lives," explained Haziraj.
New formats for national championships
The FFF has also planned major reforms for national competitions. The D1 Arkema now adopts a new format: play-offs at the end of the season will determine the champion and the qualifying places for the Champions League. This guarantees a higher level of competition and a fierce battle right up to the last minute.
Women's D2 will move to a single 12-team pool, facilitating competition management and enhancing the quality of matches. In addition, the creation of a third division, with two pools of 12 teams each, will give players a more structured career path and make it easier for them to reach the higher echelons.
These reforms will aim to provide a stricter and fairer competitive framework, which will help raise the level of women's soccer in France. "We are committed to revitalizing and professionalizing the sport," said FFF Executive Committee member Jean-Michel Aulas. These adjustments were necessary to keep pace with the rapid evolution of women's soccer, not only in France but also internationally.
The opening of approved training centers and the introduction of three levels of club license
One of the FFF's key measures is the approval of training centers. These centers will have to meet strict specifications, equivalent to the requirements for men's structures. This commitment will ensure a uniformly high quality of training throughout the country.
Arkema D1 clubs with approved training centers will receive increased support to meet these requirements. At present, the clubs concerned include:
- Paris FC
- Paris Saint-Germain
- Girondins de Bordeaux
- FC Fleury 91
- Olympique Lyonnais
- Montpellier HSC
In addition to the training centers, the FFF will introduce three distinct levels of Club License. This will aim to encourage clubs to progress according to their abilities and ambitions. Each level will provide access to specific resources and partnership opportunities, offering a clear route to professionalization.
Here is an overview of requirements and benefits by level:
| Licence level | Requirements | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Basic infrastructure, qualified staff | FFF support, local partnerships |
| Level 2 | Sports performance, educational support | Financial support, national opportunities |
| Level 3 | High performance, specialized programs | Access to European competitions, increased visibility |
These levels will further structure the landscape of women's soccer in France, encouraging clubs to invest in quality infrastructures and skilled personnel. "We want to create a solid foundation for the future of women's soccer," added Jean-Michel Aulas.
Do you have any questions about training centers? We've got the answers!
Are you wondering how these centers work and what their objectives are? Here are some answers. A women's soccer training center offers young players the opportunity to develop both athletically and personally.
Boarders enjoy a comprehensive program that includes:
- From technical and tactical courses by qualified trainers.
- A constant medical follow-up to ensure their health and well-being.
- A school supervision to guarantee the continuity of their education.
- From personal development sessions with psychologists and mental coaches.
For example, at PSGAll these aspects are emphasized to prepare the girls for all facets of life as a professional sportswoman. This also includes training courses and friendly matches to assess their progress and give them an insight into the demands of the highest level.
Women's soccer training centers in France are also places where gender diversity is encouraged. However, there is still some way to go to achieve complete parity with male structures. For example, budget allocations and infrastructure may sometimes differ, but the trend is moving in the right direction.
With initiatives like those of the FFF and leading clubs, we are seeing significant improvements in the recognition and development of women's soccer. It's an exciting journey, and every step we take is a victory for women's sport as a whole.