By Les Tan

shem's first ironman

Players from the Marine Parade CSC football team. (Photo courtesy of Marine Parade CSC)

The Fédération International de Football Association (FIFA) conducted a research study called the Big Count in 2006 and one striking finding was the growth in the numbers of women playing. 4.1 million women were playing organised football in 2006, a 54% increase compared to 2000.

The United States of America topped the list with 1.67 million registered female players, followed by Germany with 871,000 and Canada with 495,000. The US women’s team recently clinched the gold medal at the Beijing Olympics with a 1-0 win over Brazil.

In Singapore, a Women’s Premier League comprising five teams finished in June 08. There is also an ongoing youth women’s league with 12 teams. The 17 teams together, assuming an average of 15 players per team, sees 180 registered women players competing at an elite level.

At the school level, 2008 saw the inaugural year for the A Division Girls Football Championship. There were 10 teams in the championship, adding another 150 registered players to the total.

The interest in football has now percolated down to the community level with the Marine Parade Constituency Sports Club (CSC) setting up a football team.

Said Dr Ian Bahri, a spokesperson for the Marine Parade CSC: “The responses to this initiative have been very encouraging with more than 20 people expressing interest to join the team. Currently in its first month, the women's soccer team meets every Sunday morning over at the East Coast Futsal courts. Each training session lasts about 2 hours long from 10am to 12pm.”

The team is in preparation for a futsal tournament in November 2008 organised by Marine Parade CSC. Those interested in joining the Marine Parade team can email them at marineparadesoccer@gmail.com.