On the 23rd of March 1895, on a grassy clearing in Northern London, a group of women gathered to make history. Few would notice, and even fewer cared. But history it was. A whistle was blown and 22 women played out the first recorded game of women’s football.
For the record, North London won 7-1 over their southern opponents.
Then, 25 years later, the first international game was held between two women’s teams.
English side, Dick, Kerr’s Ladies invited a women’s French representative team to play a series of games for charity. Impressively, 25,000 people turned out to see Dick, Kerr’s Ladies win 2-0.
However, a year later in 1921, sanctioned women’s football came to a shuddering halt. The English FA had decided to ban women playing the sport, the official reason being: “Complaints have been made as to football being played by women, the council feel impelled to express their strong opinion that the game of football is quite unsuitable for females and ought not to be encouraged.”
This status quo remained for 50 years.
Cross the globe and fast forward 88 years to the present day and professional women’s football has returned to America.
Los Angeles Sol, lead by the world’s best female player Marta, took on Washington Freedom at Home Depot Arena (you know that place David Beckham strolls around when he’s not in Milan).
Seven days after the 114th anniversary of the first ever recorded women’s football game, the WPS (Women’s Professional Soccer) had launched.
Following on from the 2007 Women’s World Cup, this is a crucial development for the game.
Firstly, it’s one of only two professional leagues in women’s sport around the world. Other than Denmark’s female handball league, Damehåndboldligaen, the rest are semi-professional.
On top of that, the WPS will hopefully help women’s football develop and take the next step up in both quality and popularity.
The emergence of the WPS is also a significant event for the game in Australia and the Matildas’ 2011 World Cup aspirations.
There are four Matildas playing in the new league.
Lisa De Vanna took to the field for the Freedom in the WPS’ inaugural game; Heather Garriock will be plying her trade with Chicago; and Sarah Walsh and Colette McCallum have signed on with Sky Blue FC.
They will be playing both alongside and against the best players in the world week in, week out.
What an opportunity!
Having spoken personally to both Heather and Sarah recently, they are ready to grasp it with both hands.
It’s a wonderful initiative.
It boggles the mind to think that in the 114 years since the first women’s game, only two professional leagues have emerged.
The next twelve months will be telling for both the WPS and women’s football.
Though, whatever does eventuate, somehow I suspect it won’t end with a statement about the suitability of football for females.
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The Matilda scored the first two of her team's goals in the 4-0 win.
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