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AS the world’s top female footballers showcase their skills in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada, players in the kingdom are setting their sights on performing in a new league structure in partnership with the Bahrain Football Association (BFA).
The Arsenal Soccer School Bahrain Ladies League, which was formed in 2010, has teamed up with the BFA to further encourage women to participate in the sport as well as to create a more competitive atmosphere.
The BFA Women’s League will be played at the association’s training grounds in Riffa, featuring a nine-a-side format.
Five teams have already signed up to participate in the new league but John Mackenzie, head coach at Arsenal Soccer School Bahrain, hopes that there will be a minimum of eight teams before the new season kicks off in October.
Mackenzie said: “Although Arsenal Soccer School Bahrain has run a very successful women’s league for the past four years, we feel it’s time to elevate the league to a more professional standard and with the help of the BFA we feel this is going in the right direction to enhance the standard.
“Not only will it be offering its training ground for the Wednesday evening games, but the matches will feature official referees.
“I have seen a major improvement in women’s football over the past five years with better training and more wanting to play. I urge women that love the game to come and play as well as test their skills against the best players in the league in a professional environment.”
Teams such as Seef Dental, Joga, Eastern Flames from neighbouring Saudi Arabia and current league champions Venus and will be battling for glory against players in the Bahrain National Women’s squad who are currently ranked 86 in the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).
The national team will be divided into two teams for the league competition.
Shaikha Hussa Al Khalifa, who assisted in forming the team in 2003, was elected as the first female board member at the BFA in 2013 and has been the head of its women’s committee since 2010. She believes that this league will be a great platform to further develop players.
She said: “We have always wanted to create a league and the existing Arsenal Soccer School Bahrain Ladies League was a great platform to build on. When John emailed me regarding partnership opportunities, we thought it was the perfect next step and we are really excited about it.
“We hope this league will increase coverage of women’s football and by having it under the association’s umbrella, it will also give it more exposure as well as with FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
“We also hope to scout a few players for the national team through the league and to increase the level of competition for all the players. We still aim to keep the games played in a friendly atmosphere and encourage all existing teams to join the new league.”
During the old league, sponsored by GulfWeekly, the Arsenal U21 was the only squad fielding national team players such as Latifa Al Khalifa, Aya Bseisu, Dana Tarif and Phoebe Licence.
Former champions Arsenal Ladies will be changing their name and donning a new kit for the coming season. Former captain and midfielder, Rama Salem, 28, is excited about the planned new league format.
The graphic designer, from Saar, said: “I definitely think it will elevate us to a different level. I feel like in the past we were playing at an amateur level and now we will be pushing it to the next stage. We have been playing the same format for the past four years so this will be a welcome change of pace.
“It’s also great that we will have professional referees and will be playing on real grass.
“Personally, I’m really excited and I think the competition will intensify tenfold. It’s a bit daunting that the women’s national team will be joining but, at the same time, I think it will improve our game because they are professionals.
“I also think it’s an amazing way to spread the word about women’s football and how much it has developed in the country. This will surely encourage more girls to start their own teams and it’s a great way to get women’s football out there.”
The league will commence on October 7 at 7.30pm on the BFA pitches. All games will be played on Wednesdays.
* For details, visit www.arsenalschoolbahrain.com or email john@arsenalschoolbahrain.com
Also, follow the national team’s activities on Instagram @BahrainWNT.
