{"id":2733,"date":"2019-07-02T14:01:57","date_gmt":"2019-07-02T13:01:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conifa.org\/en\/?p=2733"},"modified":"2021-08-05T12:21:20","modified_gmt":"2021-08-05T11:21:20","slug":"equal-playing-field-kelly-lindsey-working-to-drive-forward-the-womens-game-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conifa.org\/en\/equal-playing-field-kelly-lindsey-working-to-drive-forward-the-womens-game-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Equal playing field: Kelly Lindsey working to drive forward the women\u2019s game"},"content":{"rendered":"

Six months after CONIFA took its first step to\u00a0gender equality at its 2019 AGM<\/a>\u00a0in Krakow, and five months after appointing\u00a0Kelly Lindsey as its Director of Women\u2019s Football<\/a>, we checked in with Kelly to see how her plans are shaping up to ensure CONIFA\u2019s women\u2019s teams grow and develop alongside their male counterparts.<\/p>\n

Kelly\u2019s determination to host the first CONIFA Women\u2019s World Cup as soon as possible is tempered with the realisation that women\u2019s teams first need to be supported and given a place to play, train and become the best they can be. Kelly has also spent the first months of her tenure developing the dedication, passion and drive required to shape the future of women\u2019s football.<\/p>\n

Kelly explains further: \u201cAs I look at women\u2019s football past, present and future, there is a lot to celebrate\u2026 but far less than there should be in 2019. I want to work with CONIFA in order to think differently, act differently, govern, listen and lead differently. I refuse to accept that the way it has always been done is what is best for the women\u2019s game.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy first goal as part of CONIFA was to build a strategic team of female leaders who would positively challenge, disrupt and transform the way the world looks at women\u2019s sport, women\u2019s football and \u2013 in my mind \u2013 the \u2018women\u2019s game\u2019 globally. That encompasses all women, across all sectors, at all ages.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am excited to announce the CONIFA Women\u2019s Strategic Team and outline our mission, vision, values and first steps in our pursuit of transforming the women\u2019s game through developing the best place in the world for women to play!<\/p>\n

\u201cWe value and appreciate CONIFA\u2019s drive to elevate the women\u2019s game, and the men and women working tirelessly to build bridges and unite diverse cultures, ideas and values under an inclusive umbrella to unite people through football. There is no better place and space for us to build the future of the women\u2019s game together.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am very proud to introduce this amazing team of women, who come from diverse backgrounds, leadership roles, and management positions to challenge and transform the status quo in women\u2019s football. In addition we are always looking to invite, engage and collaborate with people on a mission to elevate the \u2018Women\u2019s Game\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kelly\u2019s plans are targeted on the following six core values and functions. These will form the base of the strategic plans for developing CONIFA\u2019s women\u2019s teams and tournaments, and will be executed alongside CONIFA\u2019s wider equality commitment.<\/p>\n

1\/ The CONIFA Women\u2019s Strategy Team<\/p>\n

* Pulling together diverse, innovative minds from the women\u2019s game: women who have worked in diverse areas including governance, competitions, media, fan engagement and education.<\/p>\n

2\/ Vision<\/p>\n

* This can be summed up neatly with the slogan: \u2018Be the equal playing field!\u2019 In other words, positively disrupt and transform the management, governance and development of women\u2019s football and allow CONIFA to be the leader in the women\u2019s game for players, coaches, management, referees and leadership. This allows women to define their future on and off the playing field.<\/p>\n

3\/ Commitment<\/p>\n

* Align our actions as leader\u2019s in the women\u2019s game with our values, and collaborate with like-minded individuals and organisations who operate with integrity, equality, and respect.<\/p>\n

4\/ Be the equal playing field!<\/p>\n

* CONIFA should be the place where every little girl can play football. Where every female can represent their people regardless of gender, and according to the life and journey of a young girl through adolescence and into adulthood.<\/p>\n

5\/ Values<\/p>\n

* There are five core values our team will work to:<\/p>\n