New model effectively supports women's football

Behind the glory of medals and glorious moments on the field, Vietnamese women's football still faces countless difficulties and concerns about the future. When the professional path is not really sustainable, new effective models have appeared to support female players, helping them to stick with football and ensure their lives.

SHB Club (white shirt) won the 2024 Queen League S1 Women's 7-a-side Football Tournament.

For many years, Vietnamese women's football has been associated with the image of resilient girls rolling on the field, overcoming the sun, wind, injuries and even disadvantages to pursue their passion for the round ball. But behind the medals and glory on the field are countless stories of silent sacrifice, not only of the national female players, but also of hundreds of female players at women's football clubs across the country.

A shift for the future

Despite bringing home brilliant achievements such as eight SEA Games Gold Medals, including four consecutive championships or a historic ticket to the 2023 World Cup, Vietnamese women's football still faces many difficulties in terms of compensation. Many players struggle with low salaries, train in poor conditions and when the season ends, they still have to worry about making a living. Many players even have to say goodbye to professional football, temporarily putting aside their passion to find a new, more stable and less difficult way to make a living.

“In my coaching career, I have witnessed many cases where female players had to give up professional football for various reasons. Some were seriously injured, but most of them were because life was too hard and their income was not enough for them to continue pursuing their passion. But I also understand them, because women's football still faces many problems, while public opinion is not really open, public interest is limited, and there are very few spectators coming to the stadium to cheer. Besides, training conditions are still lacking, while the mechanism and treatment are not enough for female players to feel secure in sticking with and making a living from their profession,” said Head Coach of the national women's football team Mai Duc Chung.

As professional women's football has yet to become a sustainable career, more and more players are starting to look for new directions. Some choose to study further to later move into coaching; others seek opportunities to work at sports centers. Recently, women's football club models have emerged to help female players satisfy their passion and have a more stable life.

A football model like SHB brings many benefits to female players, especially in the context of many difficulties facing women's football in the country.

Head coach of the national women's team Mai Duc Chung

Former professional female soccer player Truong Thi My Duyen used to play for Phong Phu Ha Nam club, and for a time played for the Vietnam U16 women's team. Due to the hardships of pursuing professional soccer, she changed her career path while still being involved in soccer. She joined the SHB women's soccer club and participated in grassroots tournaments.

Along with that, Truong Thi My Duyen continues to study at university. For her, the passion for football has never been extinguished, but now, instead of playing on the 11-a-side football field, she burns herself out on the 7-a-side football fields after school and work. The female player confided: "On the amateur field, I still live in the breath of football, the only difference is that there are no longer the pressures and calculations of the professional field. Life and income are also more stable, having a job and being able to play football."

Long term commitment when having a stable job

The good news is that the 7-a-side football model for women not only helps players satisfy their passion but also brings in a stable source of income.

Many corporate or agency football teams have good treatment policies where players receive a monthly salary, do administrative work at the company during working hours and practice and compete in the afternoon. Not only competing domestically, female players also have the opportunity to participate in many international tournaments, experience training trips abroad and participate in meaningful volunteer activities.

According to SHB Women's Football Club CEO Le Trong Thuy, the 7-a-side football model is not only a playground to help female players continue to nurture their passion, but also opens up opportunities for them to have a long-term commitment to a stable career after leaving the field.

Mr. Thuy said: “The establishment of the women's football team is not only a movement, but also a way for the SHB women's football club to accompany and support female players to have more opportunities to stabilize their lives after leaving the field.” The members of the SHB women's football club are currently all officers and employees of the company, and are given the opportunity to balance work and training. In the long term, the club is ready to open its doors to professional or semi-professional female players who want to develop in a dual direction, having a stable career while still living with the round ball.

According to the head coach of the national women's team, Mai Duc Chung, the football model like SHB brings many benefits to female players, especially in the context of the country's women's football still facing many difficulties. "This approach is really good for Vietnamese women's football. The grassroots football teams of enterprises have contributed to creating jobs for female players, which is a welcome thing.

The good news is that the 7-a-side football model for women not only helps players satisfy their passion but also brings in a stable source of income.

Organizing and developing grassroots tournaments helps women's football spread widely, motivating athletes to strive even harder. I am very happy that society has begun to pay attention to women's football, something that professionals like us always appreciate," shared the strategist of Vietnam's women's football.

Vietnamese women's football has entered a new phase, where passion is nurtured in more practical and sustainable ways. From professional football fields to amateur fields, from major tournaments to community activities, the image of girls playing football is becoming increasingly familiar and inspiring.

The 7-a-side football model for women not only helps players satisfy their passion, but also opens up new development opportunities, promising to bring a brighter future for Vietnamese women's football.

VU DINH PHONG

Source: https://nhandan.vn/moi-hinh-ho-tro-hieu-qua-cho-bong-da-nu-post917022.html