Post by Sky Sports 1 on Jul 25, 2006 21:51:32 GMT
Manchester United have been criticised by a Commons Select Committee as setting a poor example for women's football by withdrawing financial support from their team.
The Committee on Culture, Media and Sport recommended that clubs, such as Manchester United, should share training pitches and facilities and grounds with elite women's clubs.
The committee had urged for a task force to be set up to produce a blueprint for the future of women's football and also criticised the Football Association for their outright ban on competitive mixed football for girls and boys beyond the age of 11.
MPs pointed to evidence from players who say that the rule prevented them from playing in a challenging environment and "relegated them to the sidelines" just when they most needed to develop skills and stamina.
The arbitrary cut-off point should be removed and made more flexible, stated the report, taking into account individual players' strengths.
The committee's chairman, John Whittingdale, said: "Despite being enjoyed by millions, women's football suffers from cultural and practical barriers, which make it hard for them to continue to play.
"The FA have done a lot for women but they can give more of a lead in stamping out the kind of prejudice which threatens to undermine the women's game, and they could start right at the top - at board level."
The committee did have words of praise for the FA for their efforts to bring on women's football in the last decade. Without it, the report states, there would be far fewer girls and women participating in football. But they point out that the FA could be doing more to recognise the value of bringing women into the FA's governance structures.
Whittingdale said: "We've got the ability and the commitment among young people: what we need is a path for those young players to develop their skills in a more encouraging climate.
"That would give us a wider pool of talent at the highest levels, a better chance of excelling in international games and the recognition which the women's sport deserves."
...and quite frankly, whilst the Glazers cost cutting continues i don't think United will listen much to this.
The Committee on Culture, Media and Sport recommended that clubs, such as Manchester United, should share training pitches and facilities and grounds with elite women's clubs.
The committee had urged for a task force to be set up to produce a blueprint for the future of women's football and also criticised the Football Association for their outright ban on competitive mixed football for girls and boys beyond the age of 11.
MPs pointed to evidence from players who say that the rule prevented them from playing in a challenging environment and "relegated them to the sidelines" just when they most needed to develop skills and stamina.
The arbitrary cut-off point should be removed and made more flexible, stated the report, taking into account individual players' strengths.
The committee's chairman, John Whittingdale, said: "Despite being enjoyed by millions, women's football suffers from cultural and practical barriers, which make it hard for them to continue to play.
"The FA have done a lot for women but they can give more of a lead in stamping out the kind of prejudice which threatens to undermine the women's game, and they could start right at the top - at board level."
The committee did have words of praise for the FA for their efforts to bring on women's football in the last decade. Without it, the report states, there would be far fewer girls and women participating in football. But they point out that the FA could be doing more to recognise the value of bringing women into the FA's governance structures.
Whittingdale said: "We've got the ability and the commitment among young people: what we need is a path for those young players to develop their skills in a more encouraging climate.
"That would give us a wider pool of talent at the highest levels, a better chance of excelling in international games and the recognition which the women's sport deserves."
...and quite frankly, whilst the Glazers cost cutting continues i don't think United will listen much to this.
I'm surprised that in England women plaing without interest. I saw some their games. It's realy very bored! 