Belgian FA Presents Roadmap To Stimulate Growth Of Women's Football

The Belgian FA, the KBVB, "has presented a roadmap to stimulate the growth of its women's football," according to Samindra Kunti of INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL. The KBVB "wants 35,000 active members" by '16 and qualification for Euro 2017. In the last three years the results of the Belgian Red Flames, the Belgium women's national team, "have markedly improved and given a boost to women's football in the country." The KBVB "wants to capitalise on this trend, and draws its inspiration from other high-flying sports." KBVB CEO Steve Martens: "Volleyball and hockey are the examples, because they proved that a strong national team boosts the grassroots and increases membership." The first pillar is the FIFA Live Your Goals Project that, with its financial support, "is specifically aimed at grassroots." The second pillar "is a women's football academy in Leuven." The Belgian Red Flames "are the third pillar." Finally, the fourth pillar "is the foundation of a new women's league" (INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL, 1/12).