Ibiza Launches Municipal Women’s Football School to Boost Local Participation
The Ibiza City Council is tackling gender disparity in local football with a groundbreaking initiative: a municipal women’s soccer school launching this Easter. This pilot program responds to startling statistics revealing only four federated female players currently hold licenses in the entire municipality.
Warm-up of the under 12 women’s team. / Vicent Marí
Addressing Systemic Barriers in Women’s Football
Sports Councilor Catiana Fuster explained the urgency behind the project: “Many girls are forced to travel to other municipalities to play competitively. This additional effort leads to early burnout and abandonment of the sport.” The Balearic Islands Football Federation (FFIB) supports the initiative, which aligns with Spain’s broader push for gender equity in sports following the women’s national team’s 2023 World Cup victory.
Mayor Rafael Triguero confirmed the school will operate at Can Misses III sports complex, a strategic location now designated as the permanent training base for Ibiza and Formentera’s youth teams. “This consolidation ends the previous rotation between facilities and provides stability for player development,” Triguero noted.
Grassroots Growth and Player Enthusiasm
Local coach Ana Queirolo, who leads Ibiza’s under-12 and under-14 girls’ teams, witnessed the program’s potential during recent training: “We’ve fought for years to reach two competitive categories. With proper support, an under-16 team could become reality.” Her sentiment was echoed by young players like Lana (12), who dreams of emulating FC Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí: “Finally we can play football without boys dominating the field.”
Strategic Implementation and Future Goals
While program specifics remain confidential until the Easter launch, officials confirmed it will:
- Operate under FFIB technical guidelines
- Prioritize accessibility to prevent travel-related dropouts
- Create pathways to regional competitions
The initiative comes as women’s football participation in Spain grows by 17% annually according to Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) data. Ibiza’s council aims to exceed national growth rates through this targeted investment in local talent.
Source: Diario de Ibiza
Images Credit: www.diariodeibiza.es