Cal South’s New Focus On Women In Soccer
America is the land of the brave and free and theoretically a land of equality – except somehow in the year 2015, there are still massive areas where discrimination takes place. There is an equal number of girls to boys playing youth soccer in the USA yet somehow there are very few women working in the sport. Is there really a glass ceiling in youth soccer in America? Is it possible that the country proud to bring home the FIFA Women’s Cup Championship could possibly not be fair to female players and coaches?
“A massive cultural shift needs to take place,” said Derek Barraza, President of Cal South, US Youth Soccer’s state association in Southern California. “In the 21st century, in America — and in California — how could we possibly have such an imbalance between men and women in the game? We have nearly a 50% split between girls and boys playing youth soccer in Cal South and we have such strong talent on the women’s side, but we have such an imbalance of women coaches and technical directors.”
This year the U.S. Women’s National Team won the Women’s World Cup for the third time—more than any other team in women’s soccer history. The prize money the team earned was $2 million, $1 million more then in 2011. However, the U.S. Men’s National Team was knocked out of Round 16 at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil—and earned $9 million for it. Germany, the team that went on to win the tournament, was awarded $35 million. How is this possible?
Cal South who serves the needs of 170,000 youth and adult soccer players is doing their part to try and make a change and has recently kicked off a new committee – Women in Soccer – the out growth of the Cal South Leadership Academy.
While it may take time take to work its way up to FIFA to end the embarrassing difference between the Men’s and Women’s National Teams, the hope is that it will and Cal South is starting by making a difference in Southern California.
“There is a really big blind spot – people in leadership roles need to acknowledge the challenge – women need to be included” said Barraza. “We have the opportunity to grow the game of soccer and we often operate in a vacuum. Real diversity appreciates all differences and strengths.”
What started as a conversation with Cal South President Barraza quickly turned into action. After a recent Cal South Leadership Aademy session in Los Angeles area, a few of the Directors of Coaches who had attended the event chatted with Barraza and expressed frustration with the obvious lack of women in leadership roles in soccer. These top coaches also felt that often the way coaches were referenced was wrong. When referring to coaches, the term “HE” is often used.
“Diversity exists but inclusion must be created,” said Barraza. “Including women will help us grow the game for women, men, girls and boys.”
“This committee came out of a conversation after the Cal South Leadership Academy in Burbank, CA. I knew Cal South needed to do something and I am very excited about the work the committee will do, it will move us forward and help Cal South continue to lead the nation in providing opportunities to our players, coaches, referees and administrators.”
Carrie Taylor, Director of Coaching for Laguna United FC knew she had to help forge a better path for women in soccer. As a long time educator at Cal South and on behalf of US Youth Soccer, Taylor worked with Barraza to form the Cal South Women in Soccer Committee. Taylor is one of the few female coaches who has successfully coached a men’s college soccer team as well as overseen thousands of youth players.
“The creation of the women’s committee within Cal South is exciting. It is also much needed and shows the dedication that Cal South has to listening to their membership,” said Taylor. “I am honored to be a part of it and excited to work with other people to grow the number of female coaches, referees and leaders within the game.
“The question of ‘Where are all the women in soccer?‘ has been asked time and time again — but the real question is ‘What are we doing to make women feel included and needed?‘ The answer is not much,” said Taylor. “This committee will allow for women to voice their opinions and have the opportunity to create programs to grow the number of women in the game for the future.”
Roy Carlson, Cal South Executive Vice President said, “I know that we have numerous great leaders within the boundaries of Cal South. It is our sincere desire that our new Women’s Committee will not only inspire but help women reach positions of leadership in all aspects of soccer from coaching to administration to officiating.”
According to Carlson, “Lydia Nsekera, the first woman elected to the FIFA Executive Committee, once said, ‘I will inspire women to believe they can lead, I will push them to let their girls play football because it is a school of life, and I will support women in the Member Associations.”
Carrie Taylor thanks the board of directors at Cal South for approving the committee.
Come attend the Women In Soccer event in San Diego on December 7th at the Marriott Del Mar.
Related Article: Women In Soccer Symposium Editorial
