Remi Allen and Arla Ward discuss the areas that need to be improved as well as the dearth of female managers in the elite women’s game.
The Aston Villa manager, Carla Ward, participated in a documentary a few weeks ago about mothers in sports. Ward claims to have a four-year-old daughter who only talks about what she sees. “She is always telling people that her mother manages Aston Villa.”
Amid the documentary’s filming, the filmmakers inquired about her daughter’s future aspirations. Her answer? “A manager of football.” They questioned, ‘Why?’ Ward remembers her saying, “I see my mummy doing it.”
It is critical for Ward to be well-known since she is one of only five female managers among the 12 Women’s Super League teams. The more these young girls see it, you reason, the more confident they will be in their ability to carry it out. And I am really big on that.
The women’s game has grown quickly in recent years, but there are not many female coaches and managers at the highest levels of the sport. Just twelve of the thirty-two head coaches at the Women’s World Cup in 2017 were female.
In the men’s professional game, permanent managers have been appointed, but no women have been named coaches.
Emma Hayes, who has guided Chelsea to four straight WSL championships, called the dearth of female coaches a “massive issue” and told the BBC that “we have got a lot of work to do to close that gap” last month.
According to Ward, there are female coaches; the problem is that they are not getting the opportunity to take their shots.
“As a player myself, I am aware that there are many women who are competent, but it is that chance. I believe that perhaps people should open the door.
Visibility is crucial, Ward says, adding to her emphasis on the importance of finding the “right person for the right job.” And how can we make ourselves known?
I am uncertain. But as things stand right now, I believe that many opportunities are being lost because of the way clubs may be hiring.
