“The conventions signed on Thursday iare a great step towards that vision, with a shared project across all levels of developing the game. It is a special day for Morocco.”
The new plan includes the launch of a two-tier professional championship from next season, the establishment of a national under-17 championship and regional championships for youth categories across the country.
“Our objective is to develop and broaden the basis for women to play football in all regions of the Kingdom,” said the FRMF president Fawzi Lakjaa as he unveiled the plans.
“This is an important step to allow Moroccan women to play this popular sport in good conditions and to give them the opportunity to show their skills in this sport as they have succeeded in doing in other disciplines.
The top-flight teams in the new women’s league will be entitled to monthly funding from the FRMF of up to $130,000 while for second-tier sides it will be $86,000 to help pay the salaries of players and technical staff.
The regional leagues will get just over $10,000 for the development of women’s football as long as they respect the terms of the contract.
The agreement also aims to support the management of clubs on an administrative and financial level by the National Technical Directorate and the Financial Department of the FRMF.
The target is to get 90,000 women playing the game by 2024 and to train 10,000 women with the technical skills to coach at women’s clubs.
It is this wide-ranging approach that is particularly appealing to Lindsey.
“What is extraordinary and special, is that we have taken a holistic approach to these plans,” Lindsey pointed out.
“We are focused on raising the level at the top of the game, while also equally investing in the grassroots and creating a pathway.
“We have spoken in depth about the importance of the pathway for players, coaches, staff, referees, and leaders in the game.
“When there is a career and livelihood in female football, more commitment can be made by former players, coaches, and referees who genuinely care about its growth and development.”