Que problemas existem no Futebol Feminino? Perspetivas de treinadores de elite

Abstract

Portuguese women's football has been growing steadily and continuously in recent years, however, it is still considered that there is a long way to go before it reaches the level of world reference countries. In this sense, the present study seeks to list and understand the aspects that retract the development of Portuguese women's football and find a set of prospects that aim to trigger reflections to promote the growth of this part of the sport. In view of the statement, the main specific objectives of the study are the following: (i) to state the factors that condition the increase in the number of coaches and players; (ii) to analyze the impact that the diminutive formation and competitive structure of women's football has on the training and performance of the female players; (iii) to realize if the rules of the football game are adjusted to the capabilities of the female players; (iv) to reflect on aspects and strategies to be developed in order to trigger the growth of women's football and consider future perspectives. For this purpose, the following themes were convened: 1) Women in football; 2) Physiological characterization of women's football; 3) Physical training and gender differences; 4) Quality of play - specific knowledge and amount of quality hours of practice. This review allowed to list a set of non-sealed or limiting categories and subcategories, which were discussed by 10 interviewees. Thus, a qualitative approach was used, in which the content analysis technique in a mixed system was applied. From the crossing of information between the literature review and the interviews, it was possible to draw the following conclusions: the aspects and strategies for developing women's football include dissemination of the game and promotion of gender equity, improving training conditions, the investment of more clubs, increasing the support that the FPF provides and professionalizing the Liga BPI; to create equitable criteria for access the coaches training courses; best conditions of the referees; maintaining the link between FPF, Associations and clubs; and finally, the entry of women's football in school sports, especially in the 1st cycle. Thus, the prospect is of a bright future in which the challenge is not only to continue developing women's soccer, but also to make it sustainable.