Category: Blog

Blog

Finding the best football camera for recording and analysis

Post author By Nathan George
Post date 18. April 2024

Finding the best football camera for recording and analysis

In the modern world of football capturing and analysing every thrilling moment on the pitch is becoming a necessity. For coaches, players, and analysts, obtaining the right footage is crucial for improving strategies, tactics, and player performance. However, for grassroots clubs to elite-level teams, choosing the best recording equipment that balances quality, functionality, and budget is always a difficult task. And with the big range of options now available, how do you ensure you’re making the right investment? In this article we will discuss the essential features of a camera for recording and analysing football matches.

Battery Life

Firstly, it is important to consider the stamina of your football recording device. A camera with a long battery life is indispensable, particularly during or back-to-back games stretching across a weekend, which is common among grassroots clubs with a big youth setup. Imagine the frustration of a camera dying just as the winning goal is about to be scored! A camera that can remain recording throughout a busy schedule of matches ensures you never miss a critical play.

Football recording quality

Next, the quality of footage is paramount. Analysing tactics requires quality images that remain stable even in poor weather or suboptimal lighting conditions. Blurry or shaky footage makes analysis ineffective, obscuring essential details like player movements and ball trajectories. Seek out cameras known for delivering high-resolution videos regardless of external factors, ensuring your analysis is always clear and precise.

The best camera for tactical analysis

Analysis becomes significantly more effective when a camera captures a broad perspective of the game. A camera that can capture a wider angle is key for this reason, providing a comprehensive view of player formations and the full picture of the field. Also, consider cameras that offer higher mounting points, as ground or low-level footage can make it considerably more difficult for tactical analysis.

AI Football Camera Revolution

Modern issues call for modern solutions. Clubs with limited personnel or resources will benefit from an automated AI camera that doesn't require an operator. Modern innovations mean cameras can intelligently track the flow of the game, pan, tilt, and zoom as needed, thereby significantly reducing matchday setup time week after week, and removing the dependency on having a camera operator.

Affordable football camera

Cost is always a factor, particularly for grassroots clubs operating on tight budgets. Fortunately, technological advancements have led to more affordable options without compromising on essential features. It's a delicate balance between spending wisely and investing in a camera system that can reliably serve the club's needs for years to come. It must also be considered that analysis software and the camera system do not always come as one package. Many providers may charge you a high monthly fee for analysis software which is only usable with their expensive camera.

Live Streaming your football match

For clubs that aim to strengthen their connection with supporters or parents, a camera with streaming capabilities is a significant bonus. Whether for live broadcasting to fans who can’t make it to the game to increase club visibility, or even levelling up your game with real-time analysis, having the capability to stream football matches can be key for some clubs. Other things to consider when looking at the streaming capabilities of a camera also include the possibility of integrating sponsor logos in the stream. This can provide additional revenue opportunities, making your football camera system more affordable.

Reliable football camera

Durability, longevity and customer support are the lifelines of any product. You don't want a camera that's prone to breakdowns or easily damaged. At the same time you also want to use a provider who has a strong customer support team in the event of any issues. It is key to consider when choosing a provider, how their customer service is structured, and also if repairs are included in your package for free.

Data Analytics Camera: The Modern Game-Changer

In an era where data analytics are beginning to shape sports analysis, cameras equipped with AI not only capture footage but in some cases are also able to capture important performance metrics like running statistics. Functions like this then remove the need for additional hardware devices like GPS trackers, further streamlining the process and making it more affordable. Providing next level, comprehensive insights can be game-changing in player development and team progress. Read more on the impact of using running statistics and heatmaps here.

Deeper insights thanks to video-based statistics with zone14

Conclusion

In the technological revolution of football we are currently experiencing, the right recording and analysis equipment can be key to finding that extra 10% for success. From extended battery life and high-definition image quality to AI-driven functionality and beyond, a camera that aligns with your club's requirements is important for enhancing your team’s performance.

Weitere ähnliche Beiträge von zone14

Tags Camera, Features, zone14 ONE

Blog

What is important in drills for dribbling and technique

Post author By Nathan George
Post date 27. March 2024

What is important in drills for dribbling and technique

Technique in football is an art that goes far beyond the purely athletic. It is a demonstration of a player's agility, creativity and ability to control the ball with precision. It's not just about running with the ball, but controlling it and using it as an extension of your own abilities. In this article, we dive deep into the intricacies of technique and dribbling, discovering the importance of the different aspects and offering effective drills to perfect these skills.

Technical principles

Ball control: Ball control is at the heart of good technique. The ability to receive and handle the ball is fundamental to moving through a variety of defences. Techniques such as the use of the instep and outside of the foot are crucial for ball control and allow the player to determine the flow of the game.
Change of pace The dribbling and the ability to change pace at the right moment is evidence of high quality. With a sudden run, you can leave defenders behind and utilise open spaces. The ability to switch quickly can make all the difference in an attack.
Skill-Moves: The appeal of dribbling lies in its unpredictability. Various technical manoeuvres - crossing, feints and quick changes of direction - add flair to dribbling. These movements are not just for show, but are a strategic means of creating goal-scoring opportunities. You just shouldn't overdo it.

Areas of application for technical exercises

Confined space Football is often played in confined spaces, especially in midfield. A player with good ball control and the ability to make quick decisions is an important linchpin for navigating these tight spaces.
Eins-gegen-Eins-Situationen: A one-on-one duel between an attacker and defender can be decisive for the game. The ability to overcome a defender with a well-timed move or a change of pace opens up scoring opportunities or the chance to get the ball into the attacking third.
Counter-Attack: Football is a dynamic game and counter-attacks are often lightning-fast. Dribbling plays a central role in counter-attacks. A player who is able to move the ball quickly and make smart decisions at the same time can exploit weaknesses in the defence and initiate a devastating counter-attack.
Posession: Possession-orientated styles of play have become more important and dribbling is crucial to maintaining possession. Players with good technical skills are able to outplay opposing players, maintain possession and dictate the tempo of the game.

Examples of technical exercises in football

1v1-scenarios: In training, create one-on-one situations in which the players alternate between acting as attackers and defenders. This exercise emphasises the importance of overcoming a defender in one-on-one situations and encourages creativity and confidence in your own dribbling skills.
Reaction exercises: Improve reaction time through drills that require quick changes of direction in response to a signal from the coach. This improves the player's ability to adapt to rapidly changing situations on the pitch - a crucial skill in the unpredictable nature of a football match.
Endurance dribbling: Dribbling stamina and endurance are developed through a longer course. Players navigate the course while maintaining control of the ball, which improves their ability to dribble effectively even when fatigued.

Technique for passing and scoring

Dribbling is a skill in football that has a decisive influence on passing and shots on goal. A good dribbling technique enables players to manoeuvre successfully through tight defensive lines and thus create space for precise passes or shots on goal. Dribbling not only strengthens individual ball control, but also promotes tactical understanding of game situations.

A player who is technically strong can draw defenders towards him and thus open up spaces for his team-mates. Skilful dribbling allows players to get into optimal positions to play precise passes. The combination of dribbling and passing makes it possible to move the ball safely through your own ranks while maintaining the initiative in attack. For additional inspiration, you can read our article on 3 top passing drills as well.

Dribbling is also of central importance when shooting at goal. A player who dribbles skilfully through the opposition's defence can not only create his own goal-scoring opportunities, but also serve teammates in promising positions. Dribbling makes it possible to penetrate the penalty area and create effective shots on goal in dangerous areas. What is important in drills for shooting in football?We have already clarified this in a previous article.

The importance of dribbling for passing and scoring lies in the ability to create space, overcome defenders and create dynamic attacking opportunities. Players who perfect their dribbling technique not only become an individual threat to the opposing defence, but also key players in creating scoring opportunities for their team. Targeted technique training is therefore an important component for success in modern football.

5 top technique exercises

1. Dribbling through slalom poles:

- Place several slalom poles in a row with sufficient space between them.

- The player dribbles the ball through the slalom poles by making tight turns and changing direction.

- Concentrate on ball control and the ability to dribble the ball under pressure.

2. Short pass triangular game:

- Mark a triangle on the playing field with cones.

- Three players are located at the corners of the triangle.

- The players pass the ball quickly and precisely between themselves by moving and changing positions.

- The aim is to play the ball quickly and improve ball control.

3. One-on-one dribbling:

- Divide the players into pairs and mark out a limited area.

- Each pair tries to dribble the ball away from each other while remaining in a confined space.

- The focus is on protecting the ball, keeping it under control and at the same time trying to overcome the opponent.

4. Technical course:

- Set up various stations on the course, e.g. cones, tyres or slalom poles.

- The player runs through the course and performs a specific technique at each station, e.g. dribbling, passing, receiving the ball or shooting.

- The focus is on executing the techniques with accuracy and speed.

5. Pass-and-sprint exercise:

- Mark two targets on the course, one as a starting point and the other about 20-30 metres away.

- The player passes the ball to his partner and then sprints quickly to the goal to get the ball back.

- This exercise aims to improve the accuracy of passes and develop the player's ability to move quickly from passing to sprinting.

Video analysis as an aid for technical exercises

Die Videoanalyse spielt eine entscheidende Rolle bei der Verbesserung von Technikübungen im Fußball, um die Fähigkeiten der Spieler zu verfeinern. Durch die Aufzeichnung und Analyse von Sequenzen können Trainer und Spieler wertvolle Einblicke in ihre Leistung gewinnen und gezielt an Schwächen arbeiten. Hier sind einige Gründe, warum die Videoanalyse für Technikübungen von großer Bedeutung ist:

Individual error detection: Video analysis makes it possible to scrutinise every detail of dribbling and identify individual errors or potential for improvement. Players can check their movements, ball control and decisions in detail, which leads to more targeted error correction.
Tactical Insights: Video analysis not only makes it possible to assess the technical aspects of dribbling, but also to analyse tactical elements. Players can understand how they can open up spaces through dribbling decisions, play off defenders and thus positively influence the game.
Comparison with role models: By analysing successful dribbling sequences from professionals, players can gain inspiration and learn from their technique. Video analysis makes it possible to break down successful dribbling sequences and understand the principles that lead to successful ball control.
Motivation and self-confidence: Watching successful dribbles on video can increase players' motivation and boost their self-confidence. It helps them to recognise positive examples and focus on improving their own skills.
Long-term development: The video analysis makes it possible to track progress over time. Players and coaches can regularly compare recorded scenes to see how technical skills improve in training and during matches.

By integrating video analysis into technique training, coaches and players can work more specifically on the further development of technique and create a sound basis for individual improvements. The visual feedback from videos helps to deepen the understanding of one's own game and thus maximise the effectiveness of dribbling drills in football. We at zone14 have set ourselves the goal of making video analysis possible for every club, and it doesn't matter whether you train an U-8 or the club team.

Conclusion

In football, the path to mastering technique and dribbling is a continuous process of refinement and development. The combination of ball control, ball proximity, change of pace and strategic moves results in a dynamic player who is able to influence the game in different situations. Through dedicated training and targeted drills, players can improve their dribbling skills and unlock new dimensions to their overall performance on the pitch. The football world awaits your skills on the pitch.

Weitere ähnliche Beiträge von zone14

Tags Dribbling, REPLAY, Technikübungen

Blog

Improving Team Performance with Running Stats in Football

Post author By Nathan George
Post date 22. March 2024

Subscribe to our email list for news and updates

Improving Team Performance with Running Stats in Football

In modern football, leveraging technology and data isn't just a trend. It's now a necessity for teams to keep up with those around them and elevate their performance.

While GPS devices have traditionally been the tool of choice for tracking player movements and fitness levels, a new player has emerged on the scene: zone14 STATS By utilising cameras and artificial intelligence, zone14 STATS offers a cost-effective alternative to GPS devices, providing coaches with detailed running stats that can revolutionise training and tactical decision-making.

The Significance of Running Stats in Football

In football coaching and analysis, fine margins matter. Making use of running statistics can be a key contributor to success and team performance. Metrics like distance covered, high-intensity runs, and sprints offer invaluable insights into player fitness, game impact, and overall team effectiveness.

Player Fitness and Performance Optimisation

Through thorough analysis of running stats, coaches can carefully monitor and enhance player fitness levels. Tailoring fitness programs and training sessions to mirror the demands of match play ensures that players can maintain peak performance levels which is a critical requirement in the intense environment of competitive football.

Strategic Insights from Running Distance

The total distance covered by a player throughout a match provides valuable intel on their work rate and positioning. Coaches can leverage this data to fine-tune team tactics, ensuring players are playing in roles that capitalise on their strengths and endurance. Total distance data can again be used to adjust player fitness programs - for example perhaps there is a player in your team who’s workrate significantly decreases at certain points in the match - this can then be worked into their individual training plan that they need to work on stamina.

Unleashing the Power of High-Intensity Running

High-intensity running metrics showcase both team and individual players ability to execute quick bursts of speed, which are key in both attacking and defending manoeuvres. Armed with this information, coaches can design training sessions aimed at enhancing explosive power and recovery speed which are both essential skills in the fast-paced game of modern football.

Whilst high intensity runs only make up for an approximate 10% of total distance covered in a match, which may appear a small percentage at first glance, these runs often occur in key scenarios in the match which means they must be used wisely and effectively. As well as looking at high intensity runs from a numerical perspective, it is also important to map them in which area of the pitch they occur or link them to video to identify their effectiveness. This is now possible thanks to zone14 STATS.

Why is speed important?

Not only is data on distance covered, and high intensity runs important. Sprinting has been identified as the most common activity that leads to goals. Depending on your tactical set up and build up play, it is important the quickest players are played in the positions where scoring opportunities are most likely to be created from. This is why it is always key to keep track of individual players' top speed capabilities. On the other hand too, in defensive situations you always want to ensure the right players are positioned to defend against fast counter-attacks of the opposition.

Injury Prevention and Management

Another key part in managing the relentless number of games in the modern game is having an effective injury prevention process. By utilising running stats, teams can proactively identify potential injury risks by monitoring player fatigue and stress levels. This proactive approach to player health management can significantly reduce injury rates, ensuring key players are available for crucial matches.

Real-Time Tactical Adaptations

With real-time access to running stats, coaches gain the ability to make informed tactical decisions during matches. Players who are struggling for fitness can be identified and substituted. This agility in strategy also allows teams to identify and exploit opponents' physical weaknesses and capitalise on their own strengths as the game unfolds.

zone14 STATS: Revolutionising Football Analytics for clubs of all levels.

Traditionally, capturing such detailed insights required the use of individual GPS tracking vests or devices which are yet another expensive investment for clubs, particularly for those at lower levels of the game.

However, with zone14 STATS seamlessly integrating with existing football analysis cameras, the analysis of running stats has become more accessible and comprehensive for teams and as mentioned above, you no longer receive purely numerical figures - runs and numbers can be put into context through video.

You can find out more on the capabilities of zone14 STATS here.

Do you want to join the footballing revolution and elevate your team through analysis and data? Get in contact with our team, who can provide you with more information on our product and a personalised offer.

Weitere ähnliche Beiträge von zone14

Tags STATS., Coach

Blog

Ein Spiel, ein Tampon, eine Idee: der Anstoß für DIE NEUE REGEL

Post author By Nathan George
Post date 20. March 2024

Subscribe to our email list for news and updates

Ein Spiel, ein Tampon, eine Idee: der Anstoß für DIE NEUE REGEL

zone14 x THE NEW RULE
20/03/2024
FFF

At our recent event Women in Football - The Talk we were able to get to know the team from 'The New Rule'.

It's extremely nice to see that the networking is already bearing fruit and we are happy to support this overlooked but extremely important topic!

More information on The New Rule can be found on their Instagram page @dieneueregel

The New Rule

“It all started on September 17th, 2023, when my team, Paulaner Wieden Women, had a football match against ASV 13. What initially started as an ordinary game took an unexpected turn in the 35th minute. Nothing unusual really, a thing that happens to half of people once a month. I noticed that my tampon was no longer sealing and if I didn't do something immediately there would be an embarrassing incident. My thoughts only revolved around the fear of embarrassing myself and no longer on the game. Distressed, I ran to the side of the field to my coach. It took a lot of effort and I asked him if I could go to the toilet for a moment. He was irritated at first. With tears in my eyes, I told him that I was on my period. He immediately reacted with understanding and told the referee that I had to leave the field for a moment. So I quickly ran to the toilet and was able to continue the football game again. In that moment I felt mostly shame. In the subsequent conversation with my friend, we came to the conclusion that it was absurd to be ashamed of the most natural thing in the world. We were convinced that this topic should no longer be taboo. The idea of the “NEW RULE” hand signal emerged from this dialogue. There is currently no official regulation for such a situation. Why? Because the rules in football are made by men for men. But we want to change that.”

How does it work?

“You have your period during a football game? Then THE NEW RULE says that you use this simple hand signal to inform your coach to go to the toilet. After 3 minutes you are fresh and focused again on the field. The hand signal is a derivative of the WC hand signal from sign language. The three fingers that stand up symbolise the three minutes it takes to go to the toilet. The thumb and index finger form a drop, which can be interpreted as a vulva and/or menstrual bleeding. It's not just us at Paulaner Wieden Women who use THE NEW RULE, more and more women's teams are joining. The NEW RULE is currently being applied through team coordination. You inform your coach using a hand signal, who then passes this on to the referee. Meanwhile, the game continues with one less person on the field. Next steps for THE NEW RULE are to network with referees and hopefully soon get an official rule book entry from FIFA or the Austrian Football Association so that everyone who is active in women's football benefits from this initiative. It is not unusual for women to have or start their periods during a football game. I'm 27 and still had an uncomfortable feeling about having to leave the field because of it. What would it have been like for younger girls or those who don't have such an understanding coach? THE NEW RULE is only a small step in the right direction, but it is a start in thinking about how we can shape women’s football.”

Weitere ähnliche Beiträge von zone14

Tags FFF

Blog

Oliver Jakob on the development of women's football and the success story of SCR Altach

Post author By Nathan George
Post date 14. March 2024

Subscribe to our email list for news and updates

Oliver Jakob on the development of women's football and the success story of SCR Altach

zone14 x Oliver Jakob
14/03/2024
FFF, Interview

As part of our focus on women in football, we recently interviewed Oliver Jakob, who currently works for Austrian Women's Bundesliga club SCR Altach.

Introduction

zone14: Perhaps you could start by briefly introducing yourself and how you got into women’s football.

I'm Oliver Jakob, I'm 23 years old. I started working at Altach around four years ago. At the time, I didn't really have any connection to women's football apart from a few players I knew who went to school with me.

In the winter of 2020, the project opened up that the FFC Vorderland women's team would be integrated into Altach and play in the Bundesliga.

I've been working full-time at Altach for a few months now and now focus my work here for the women's team.

Day to day work

zone14: What does a typical day in your life look like?

I don't think it's a typical day. The day usually starts at half past eight in the morning and goes on until 8.9 in the evening if there is training. You have lots of conversations with coaches and players, but also with many officials, player support staff, etc. Nevertheless, my working day is very varied and I see myself more in the role of first point of contact and mediator for many different topics. There is no such thing as a standard working day because many things happen spontaneously, it is very varied and very exciting.

How has women's football changed?

zone14: In your opinion, how has women's football in general changed over the last few years?

I know the development of women's football through Eileen Campbell, who I also played with in my youth. In the early days, it was quite amateurish, if I may say so. When she played for FFC Vorderland, you couldn't immediately tell that it was the highest women's league in Austria.

I can simply say that a lot has happened in the last 3 years. The arrival of a new league sponsor has also given the whole issue more impetus.

We in Altach in particular have set out to show how it should be done. With top training conditions, an excellent infrastructure and communication, we can score points and create an attractive atmosphere for every player. In addition, all games are played in the stadium. These things are important and have extreme added value. Of course, foreign players recognise this and we currently have 6 or 7 players who have already played in Germany.

If we see that big names such as Rapid and Salzburg are now also joining the academy leagues, then you push each other and create development in the area.

More could certainly have been made of the hype surrounding EURO 2017. In my opinion, the association overslept this somewhat because it may have lacked the resources.

In general, the last 3 years have been good and ok, but I think that there will certainly be further developments in the women's sector.

Resources and structure at SCR Altach

zone14: What do you do on a day-to-day basis differently to Rapid Vienna, for example, who only started with their women's setup this year? Do you use the same infrastructure as the men or do you divide it up? And what about the financial resources and resource distribution?

In terms of infrastructure, we have a professional campus where the men from each team are based. This is also where the weight rooms, physio rooms, etc. are located. But the women, the first team, also have their own cabins. The additional rooms, such as the video analysis room, weights room and physio room, are shared and used equally among the professional men’s and women's teams then of course the second teams as well.

The resources are distributed equally everywhere. We make sure that the training conditions are right. The games are played in the stadium, which means you no longer have to worry about the game being canceled in bad weather, which gives you more planning security.

But of course it's very important to make sure that the games aren't cut on top of each other or anything else. But it actually works quite well. And yes, that's how it developed three years ago.

Of course it's an extreme step at the beginning. Then there's also a lot of talk about, yes, what do the women have to do now, why are they there and so on. But that also takes a bit of time to put everything into place.

And I would say that the first women’s home game for us had a very, very big impact on the entire club. A lot of people said, wow, that's really cool, they play good football, it's fun to watch. And that's how the whole thing developed.

If we come back to sponsorship or financial matters, the women's team is actually completely self-supporting. There is a small amount that is contributed by the men's company, but the rest is completely financed by sponsors, with our own main sponsor, and withmany of our own jersey sponsors. Our two sales staff are extremely supportive and push the whole thing every year.

We managed to get the LED sponsorship boards up and running for all women's matches this summer, selling them to around 20 different partners. That shows that women's football is extremely attractive in Vorarlberg, that companies are willing to invest money in it, but also that the day-to-day conditions are extremely good for taking the whole thing forward.

Um noch einmal auf das Thema Sponsoring und Finanzen zurückzukommen: Das Frauenteam ist eigentlich komplett selbsttragend. Es gibt einen kleinen Betrag, der von der Unterstützung der Männer beigesteuert wird, aber der Rest wird komplett von Sponsoren finanziert, mit unserem eigenen Hauptsponsor und mit vielen unserer eigenen Trikotsponsoren. Unsere beiden Vertriebsmitarbeiter unterstützen uns sehr und pushen die ganze Sache jedes Jahr.

Wir haben es geschafft, in diesem Sommer die LED-Sponsorentafeln für alle Frauenspiele aufzustellen und sie an rund 20 verschiedene Partner zu verkaufen. Das zeigt, dass der Frauenfußball in Vorarlberg sehr attraktiv ist, dass die Unternehmen bereit sind, Geld zu investieren, aber auch, dass die Rahmenbedingungen sehr gut sind, um das Ganze voranzutreiben.

Success at SCR Altach

zone14: And success comes with this support?

Yes, that comes in passing.

Of course, several factors play a role here. It has often been said that when the men have not been so successful, the sports director should change positions and he can do it much better. But to be honest, it's just simply a lot easier for women.

Let me tell you, we brought Charlotte Voll from Paris Saint-Germain to us two years ago. In the men's game, it's unthinkable that a player like that would come here. But, she can get playing time, she wants to play, and secondly, the whole situation with the infrastructure.

We had our teething problems in the first year, we were in sixth place, we were under a lot of pressure because a lot of people had high expectations for players who were just starting out and a lot of people said that they were professional players and now they had to a high level. In the end it didn't work out with the coach and we had to change coaches in the winter. But since then, things have actually developed steadily.

Last year, we finished third with the same number of points as SK Sturm Graz, which was quite remarkable, but we didn't achieve anything in the end. Our goal was really not to slip into the European positions. In the end, you have to say that it’s part of our development, because we made progress, we won against SK Sturm, reached the cup final and gained a lot of experience.

As we've already said, there are a lot of steps in quick succession, which are often too fast and you skip things. Now it's the stabilization phase, where the whole thing comes together, when you take care of issues off the pitch, such as the administrative side, the coaching team, and just spend more time to make everything more professional all round. In the end, that will also have a beneficial effect on the team.

The next step already came in the summer with player sales for the first time, where it was shown that there is actually money to be made through selling players. There are clubs that pay transfer fees; Charlotte Voll was sold to Leverkusen in the summer and in January Eileen Campbell was sold to Freiburg. That also shows women’s football can also bring in money if you simply back the right people.

We've also managed to add two extra professionals in the summer, so we've gone from 8 professional players to 10. It'll just keep increasing, but you'll never be able to say that you're going from 0 professionals to 20, because it's extremely difficult for every club when you have to take those steps. It's also about the fact that there are a lot of deserving players in the team who might say, I can't do that, I can't accept professional status because my job outside of football is too important, for example.

It's also about finding a transition that simply works well. I also believe that if you put energy into it for a while, then the first successes will probably not be monetary and financial investments, but once it settles down and is successful, then I also believe that you can generate good income, even in women's football, not just in men's football. Certainly when I look at it that way, in England I think they sold a player for 500,000 and so on.

This is now happening gradually, it's progressing a bit, but in the end I also have to say that if you make transfer income this year, that is simply 10% of our total budgeted expenses, that's a nice amount and where I say, yes, I'll gladly take it. If I can manage to cover 10% of the expenditure every year simply through transfer income, it's very, very nice, but in the end it's also the goal that we say, we have to sell our players every year, because in the end we also want to be successful, we want to perform as well as possible internationally and then that's where we're heading. But it's just extremely remarkable to see how I can continuously improve the whole thing and how it then progresses.

No one is saying that success isn't fun, but I put a lot of work into it and a lot of difficult conversations, where it's just right to have them, but yes, it's a great task, but it hasn't been easy for the last three years. However, now all of us who were involved can be proud that we are now in the position we are in.

Differences between men's and women's football

zone14: What do you mean by differences, i.e. that the managers see it differently? Is it the club management or the coaches who have a different approach, because you can imagine that a coach who is now training a women's team has to behave a little differently than with an all-male group.

It is something completely different.

They are like two different sports. At the end of the day, the same thing is taught on the pitch, but the surroundings are completely different. I say the women are extremely, extremely appreciative.

It starts with two small things, when you put bananas in their changing room that are left over from the school in the morning, you get five thank-you notes, “so nice of you”, etc. Whereas with the men these things are just taken for granted.

But also with the bigger things, like, I don't know, some recovery stockings that we've bought, or a cold pool, they're just so appreciative, because maybe they haven't known it to be like that in recent years, because they've had to buy a lot themselves, they've had to make sure that everything runs well. But in the end, it starts at the very top. If you have people for us who set the tone and say we want this and it's important that we have the same opportunities, then it works well.

But coming back to the coach, there are two different jobs between men and women. With the women, I have to be extremely empathetic. I don't think it would work at all if you went into the dressing room after a game and grilled the team because the next day there would be eight players saying what did I do and blah, blah, blah. They often take it very personally, but that's just the way it is and you have to accept it.

As a man, you might see the motivating factor and think, wow, he's pushed me now, he's pissed me off, I certainly don't want him to be ashamed of me or anything else. But women interpret completely different things into it. You just have to approach things in a completely different way. Not in a negative way or anything, but simply conveying the whole thing a little differently. I'm saying it won't work if you go into the dressing room or get the team together on the pitch in front of the coach. You can't always be loud and that's clearly exhausting, but you have to be objective.

How can women's football develop further?

zone14: We're doing the campaign so that the visibility of the media presence benefits the women and girls a little and gives them a stage to present themselves, so to speak. What do you think, you mentioned before that something will happen in the next few years?

What do you think should be done to push women's football in particular even further?

I think the most important thing would be to make an extreme effort with young talent. Simply that there are a lot more girls in the next generation, because in the end the top is defined by the width. The more width there is, the more top players there are.

The better top athletes there are. I simply believe that it will be extremely important to have more junior teams. We have now started an U14 team ourselves. We are also adding an U16 team in the summer, which is also extremely important. I say 100 probably still works, that the mixed teams play, but sooner or later the point will come again that you start an U12 or an U10. I say that handball is a bit of a role model in terms of behavior, because they actually start with an all-girls team from U10 onwards.

There are U10s, U12s, U14s, U16s and U18s. And at some point, the goal has to be for the big clubs to cover all of this and for the smaller clubs to try and somehow bundle it all together. Perhaps with joint teams, or together with clubs in the neighborhood or something for example.

The goal is that more girls simply get into the sport. That is certainly an important point, as the quality of the players will simply increase, but there will also automatically be more leagues, more clubs playing and more interest from others. That makes the product even more interesting.

And the other issue is simply that there is certainly still a lot to be done in terms of professionalization in the league. Important steps have now been taken that are a good start, but much, much more still needs to happen. And when that happens, then we'll get to the point where we say, okay, the first division will become even more professional, the second division will become more professional and so on.

How can we get more girls playing football?

zone14: I can see that there are a lot of girls in the village, but they don't play football. How can you make that a bit more visible to get the girls into sport or football?

Yes, it starts at the schools. As a club, you probably have to go into the school, start other activities, maybe organize a school tournament for girls, where every class in the village is obliged to take part, so that the girls learn to play football, maybe do one or two training sessions at school beforehand. You play the tournament, and then you can already see which girls are interested. Also as a club you probably have to be a bit present and can take out a lot of calls.

That brings us back to handball. Every year they organize a handball tournament at the primary school, where all the girls and boys play in separate teams.

They all get a bag with an apple in it, a drink and a flyer with all the information on it, where you can go, where the training is, because the children always go home and say, ”Mum, we played handball or football today, it was so cool, it was so much fun!”

The most important point is certainly that you have to be extremely present in the schools, because you can draw the children out so well, but also do a lot of advertising, a lot of presence in the media, with campaigns and so on and then you can really achieve a lot.

Weitere ähnliche Beiträge von zone14

Tags FFF, Interview

Blog

Understanding ACL Injuries in Women's Football

Post author By Max Maximov
Post date 14. March 2024

Subscribe to our email list for news and updates

Understanding ACL Injuries in Women's Football

By Helena Bates
14/03/2024
FFF

Bare minimum was the past, we demand more

by Helena Bates

Spieler bei Wiener Sport-Club

Women Football Stars and Their Battles with ACL Injuries

Sam Kerr, Leah Williamson, Beth Mead, Vivianne Miedema, and our own Laura Wienroither. These talented, powerful women are in the latest headlines for being the highest performers in the highest competitions, being role models for so many young women across the globe, fighting for the women’s game to be recognised for its worth, and having suffered from one of the most serious injuries in the game – an ACL tear. The numerous injury announcements have caused renewed concerns and resurrection of old myths.

The Anatomy of ACL Injuries and Recovery Challenges

ACL stands for Anterior Cruciate Ligament and is found within our knees. The ligament is short, thick, and powerful and is attached to our thigh bone and our shin bone. When it tears or ruptures it can cause some awful pain and a devastating injury for all.

Recovering from an ACL injury takes around 9 to 12 months, and it includes undergoing an operation, walking with crutches for several weeks, learning how to run stably and comfortably again, and months of physio exercises as well as multiple doctors’ appointments. As Arsenal players, Mead and Miedema, portray in their recent documentary titled ‘Step by Step’, this process takes a massive toll on your mental as well as physical health. Yet, it is vital as a viewer to understand that these two players have access to some of the best facilities and resources compared to most female football players in the game.

The Disturbing Trend of ACL Injuries in Women’s Football

Part of being a high-performing athlete means that you are going to be at risk of getting injured. Sadly, this is part of the job, and most sportspersons experience these highs and lows. Yet, having an ACL injury can change or at least have a massive impact on a career, especially without having good physical as well as mental support. According to Sky Sports, the last 18 months have shown a massive increase in around 195 elite players suffering from an ACL injury in women’s football . However, why is this especially occurring in women’s football?

ACL Injury Gap: Biases and Breakthroughs in Women's Football

Recent research shows that female football players are four to six times more likely to tear their ACLs than men. The question of why females are more suspectable to this injury is being posed a lot currently especially in England. Many believe that this development proves that women should not be playing football or at least not professionally as it indicates that the female body cannot handle the physicality of the sport. This argument is a repeat of the type of sexism we experienced during the 50-year ban of women’s football in England from 1921 to 1971 as the sport was defined as unsuitable for women by the English FA. Many other football federations followed their lead and banned women’s football in their countries. However, many scientists and researchers are proving this theory wrong and are presenting quite concerning ideas as to why this epidemic has occurred.

The Role of Equipment in ACL Injury Risks

Football boots are one of the most important and basic needs for playing football regardless of what level. Deciding on which shoes to get is for some a very long process, especially with the range of styles, brands, and constant new models. Now imagine going into a sports shop and not finding a single boot that fits you well or is in your size and you must choose one from the limited children’s section. Many female football players buy their shoes from the children’s section or the male section - there is no female section. Studies are revealing that the lack of female-customised boots could be a reason why women are more likely to injure themselves.Yet, change is happening. IDA Sports took on an initiative a few years ago to make female football boots. Nevertheless, they are still the only solely female football boot-making company in the world.

The Impact of Growing Popularity on ACL Risks in Women's Football

Many have been praising the recent growing interest in the women’s game as match attendances are rising, competitions are being held in bigger stadiums and more games are being played. Yet, the intensity of the schedule, the amount of travel, and lack of rest are also putting women more at risk. FIFPro’s chief medical officer found evidence of the linkage between elite players who had played a high number of matches, had less rest periods, and more travel, consequently suffering from ACL injuries.

Not only are competitions and governing bodies not working together to protect players but as Vivianne Miedema points out in the documentary , these elite sportswomen are not used to and have not prepared to take on such a workload throughout their careers in comparison to the male athlete who received top facilities from a young age. For instance, in the past many players (and many still) are introduced to strength and conditioning training quite late. Also, many women have, and many still do, started playing adult football from the age of sixteen which also puts them at higher risk. Ten years ago, women’s football was not where it is today, and even the highest-performing athletes were not training and being prepared the same way some girls are being trained today.

However, despite the recent positive developments in gaining more access to good quality pitches, facilities, coaches, and other resources, the changes to access are still very uneven across countries but also nationally. For example, the difference in pitches in most countries between professional and semi-professional football is huge. Despite it being semi-professional football, games are being played on grass pitches with massive holes, uneven ground, or questionably small, hard artificial grass, putting players at risk.

Gender-Specific Challenges in Training and Recovery

Furthermore, the highest performing players are being treated like ‘little men’ and many areas of the female body still go under-researched or “undiscovered” such as the menstrual cycle. Female football players are being given strength and conditioning programs that would apply to a little man. The differences like different physical structure and needs are being completely ignored and taboo topics like the menstrual cycle are not being considered when thinking about how to get a player back into shape. Studies have shown that this denial of acknowledgement is another fundamental factor that is destroying women’s careers. Again, only in some of the highest leagues are medical teams adjusting players’ training schedules according to their cycle.

However, as discussed in ‘Step by Step’, the menstrual cycle is being identified as a factor, not the cause. Katrine Kryger, an expert in female biomechanics and sports equipment, believes this is critical to understand so society does not turn this into an argument against women’s football. If the injury was caused by the menstrual cycle, then men wouldn’t suffer from ACL injuries too. Yet, understanding the effects of the menstrual cycle to help players perform at their best and protect them from injuries at different points of their cycle is essential. It is part of several diverse factors that are contributing to this epidemic. Women’s football must be careful to not let topics that dictate women’s lives and purpose interfere with learning how to protect their bodies while doing what they love.

Personal Perspectives on the ACL Injury Experience and Treatment in Austria

Despite there being a high number of cases in England, the rate of ACL injuries is also high in other countries. I have played football for around 13 years and have seen several cases of ACL injuries amongst girl’s and women’s football. During my 10 years playing in Vienna, I experienced multiple girls and women go through this demanding recovery process mostly by themselves. Due to girls and women’s football still developing and not all clubs having the same amount of access and resources, many must find external help including doctors and physios to get back onto the pitch. Not only does this require time and effort and can cause them a sense of exclusivity, but also not every girl or woman can financially afford to find this extra support.

Speaking from personal experience, coming back from two operations is extremely difficult and takes a lot of energy. I was fortunate enough to have the support of my family and friends as well as the chance to receive very good medical care. Yet, despite playing in the reserve team of a first-league team, I had to find medical care outside of the club. In the last few years, the game has developed greatly in Austria, but there is still so much that needs to be talked about and enforced. It is critical that support is invested equally amongst the leagues and that a girl or woman of any level can access the support she needs, especially when suffering from an ACL injury.

The Way Forward: Acknowledging and Addressing the Women's Needs

Medicine and sports science have mostly focused on the male body as the prototype and only recently has the female been analysed separately. Players and staff need to learn more about the female body and how to keep it at its best. We are different from men, and that’s not a bad thing. It must be normalised that we talk to our medical staff, physio, or coach about our menstrual cycle and how it affects us. People need to treat women equally to men but that also means understanding what a female football player needs. In the past, we have not been able to share what we love to do openly so we accepted the bare minimum: any shoes we could have, any pitch we could play on, and any coaching or support we could receive. But that was the past, now we demand more.

Conclusion: Demanding More for Women’s Football

Austria has now the chance to become part of a movement towards equality between men and women by acknowledging that the women’s game needs to be seen separately from the men’s. Clubs must start to understand and talk to their female players about issues that concern them and develop training sessions that are valuable for them. With such a strong national team and so many striving, young players, Austria has the potential to be considered one of the best places to be as a female football player if we join this movement that is now being initiated in England. Learn to understand your players, treat them with respect, and give them the chance to reach their full potential with the right means. Give the next generation the best chance to have a successful and healthy career.

FAQ

What is an ACL injury?

ACL injury refers to the tearing or rupturing of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament, a key ligament in the knee, leading to severe pain and a lengthy recovery process.

Why are women more susceptible to ACL injuries in football?

Research indicates that biomechanical and physiological factors contribute to a higher incidence of ACL injuries in women compared to men.

How long does it take to recover from an ACL injury?

Recovery from an ACL injury typically takes about 9 to 12 months, including surgery, rehabilitation, and gradual return to play.

What can be done to reduce ACL injuries in women’s football?

Adapting equipment like football boots, ensuring adequate rest and recovery time, and providing female-specific training and medical care can help reduce the risk of ACL injuries.

Weitere ähnliche Beiträge von zone14

Tags FFF

Blog

The history of women's football

Post author By Nathan George
Post date 8. March 2024

Subscribe to our email list for news and updates

The history of women's football

Julius Oppel
08/03/2024
FFF

The history of women's football is not only a chronicle of sporting events, but also a fascinating reflection of social change and the ongoing struggle for equality. From its beginnings in England to recent global developments, the journey takes us through an exciting timeline. The dynamics of the sport reflect not only the development of women's football, but also changing social norms and values.

The beginnings of women's football

Great Britain, the birthplace of the game, played an important role in the development of women's football in the 19th century. It was not uncommon for girls to play the emerging sport in England's schools. On 23 March 1895, the first recorded women's football match took place between England North and England South. The bizarre anecdote that the players wore hats and skirts, rather than the typical sportswear of the day, illustrates the cultural norms of the time.

Long shadows of oppression

Instead, the promising development of women's football in England came to an abrupt end in 1921. Women were banned from stadiums on the dubious grounds that football was 'unsuitable' for women and should not be promoted. The ban lasted 49 years until 1970, when women were officially allowed to play in stadiums again. This dark period was not only a setback for the game, but also a sad chapter in the history of equality.

Fight for recognition

The first women's football club was founded in Germany in 1930, but was disbanded after a year following violent protests. During the Nazi era, women were declared ineligible to play football because of their gender role. The German Football Association imposed an official ban on women's football in 1955, which was not lifted until 1970. In Austria, there was a women's football championship as early as 1936, but it was short-lived. The establishment of the women's league of the Austrian Football Association (ÖFB) in 1972 and the official recognition of women's football in 1982 illustrate the uphill struggle for acceptance and equality.

Ode to resistance

Women's resistance to oppression and discrimination in football is an inspiring story. Despite many setbacks and obstacles, the pioneers of women's football have helped to shape the sport we know today. Their determination not only scored goals on the pitch, but also opened doors for future generations of female footballers.

A milestone for equality

In 2019, a revolutionary moment occurred when the US women's soccer team won the World Cup. In response to discrimination, the team filed a landmark class-action lawsuit against the US Soccer Federation to receive the bonuses they would have received had they been paid according to men's rules. Setting an undisputed precedent for equal treatment, this resistance reverberated throughout the sporting world.

The legal path to equality

The US women's soccer players' lawsuit against the federation was not only a sporting landmark, but also a legal milestone. The fight for equal pay and conditions led to an intense debate about gender equality in sport. Although the case failed in court in May 2020, it set the tone for future discussion and change.

"Women only came along later, so they had to fight for a lot of things that men took for granted in football."

Jasmine Sommer

Real Girls Play Soccer

A look at existing barriers

The discussion about equality in women's football covers a number of areas. In addition to financial equality, it is also about equal training opportunities, access to quality pitches, and appropriate support from sponsors and the media. The existing barriers are increasingly recognised and require a joint commitment from sports organisations, the media and society.

Promising prospects

The history of women's football is not only a journey through ups and downs, but also a reflection of societal developments. But the current successes and growing recognition point to a promising future. Even if the road to equality is not yet fully paved, the positive developments show that the prospects for women's football are increasingly promising. The development of this fascinating sport is driven by ongoing efforts and the constant fight for equality.

Empowerment through women's football

The increasing visibility of women in football is not only leaving a legacy but also shaping the future of the sport. Young girls look to female players as role models who show them that there are no limits to their dreams. The growing participation of women at all levels of society promises a future where women in sport are recognised and celebrated as a matter of course.

Global triumph

Women's football has enjoyed an amazing resurgence around the world in recent years. International tournaments are becoming more and more popular, and the quality of the game is reflected in the growing number of spectators. Players are increasingly becoming role models, inspiring young girls and consolidating their role as key players in the sport.

A step towards normality

The growing success of women's football at international level is helping the sport to emerge from the shadows and be recognised as a discipline in its own right. The interest of sponsors, media and fans is growing and women's football matches are becoming major events. This global triumph is not only rewarding the players but also signalling social change.

Beyond the sport

Women's football is a catalyst for social change far beyond the pitch. It is helping to break down gender stereotypes and provide a platform for discussions about equality. From the introduction of fair bonuses to increased media coverage, women's football is actively challenging existing norms and paving the way for a more inclusive sporting landscape.

Women's football as a social statement

The presence of women in football is a symbol of the changing gender roles in society. Sport allows women to raise their voices and fight against prejudice. The active participation of women in football is not only a sporting act, but also a social statement in favour of equality and self-determination.

"Why do they fail to notice that women's teams are always put in the second role? Men always get first priority, even when women's teams perform better. It's a question of money and sponsorship. Women's football is left behind. Until priorities change, women's football will remain in the shadows."

Lara Krampf

Player at DSG Dynamo Donau

Conclusion

A look at the past, present and future of women's football shows that it is not just a game, but a powerful tool for change and equality. With each generation of players and fans, the resistance and determination to establish women's football as an integral part of the global sporting culture grows. The journey is far from over, but the path points in a direction of change that extends far beyond the pitch.

Weitere ähnliche Beiträge von zone14

Tags FFF

Blog

Women in Football: Interview with Anna Ressmann

Post author By Nathan George
Post date 7. March 2024

Women in Football: Interview with Anna Ressmann

Julius Oppel
07/03/2024
FFF, Interview

As part of our focus on women in football, we recently spoke to Anna Ressmann, who, in addition to her role as head of women's football at FC Mariahilf currently sits on the board of the women's committee of the Vienna Football Association .

Can you briefly introduce yourself and how you got into football?

My name is Anna Ressmann. I actually got into football through my godfather Rudolf Czech. At the time, he was at St Rochus, a football club that played in the DSG and also had a league team (junior team). My sister and I played with the boys there a few times. Then at some point Rochus had a women's team. We were about 17 years old then. We played there for two or three seasons and then I switched to Mariahilf. That was in 2006 and I joined the board in 2008. I've been the women's football manager at Mariahilf since 2011. In 2017, I also joined the Women's Committee of the WFV. And at the moment I'm responsible for the national league there, so I'm deputy chairwoman of the WFV women's committee for the national league and responsible for the Girls' leagues.

How many all-female teams are there in Vienna?

Basically, we have three major large pitch leagues in Vienna. Unfortunately, the Landesliga, the strongest of the three, only has eight teams this year. The first division has eleven teams and the second class has six teams. There are around 25 large field teams in total. And then we also have the small pitch teams. That's another eight plus a few in the DSG league.

How has this developed in recent years?

There has been little development, or rather almost regression, in the women's leagues. The fact is, that we are constantly losing teams, and as a result the number of teams is stagnating or far too low. Sometimes there are fewer, sometimes more. The positive thing is that in Vienna we now have 3 leagues again, whereas recently there were only 2. We hope that the Newcomer League will develop more large pitch teams and thus increase the number of teams. But in November at least I have the latest data on the girls' and boys' leagues. And in women's football, the number of new registrations is increasing. Of course there was a significant slump in corona times. After that, however, there is an increase again. Therefore there are now also girls' leagues, at least in spring there are 30 girls' teams, who also play in the girls' leagues. These teams still existed a year and a half ago and they are the basis for more women's teams. So there is already a development and the number of female players in Vienna is increasing. But we still make up a very small proportion. In percentage terms, 7% of footballers are girls and women.

How has women's football changed in recent years?

I think things have generally improved. More clubs are now offering girls' and women's football. So something has already happened. In terms of spectator numbers, I don't think much has changed. I don't know how we compare to the
men's national league, but far below that and also in terms of money. In the men's national league, the players already receive a decent salary, while in the women's national league, the players pay a membership fee. In financial terms, of course, we are far below that. Structural problems are still a major difficulty. That's what we want to tackle now. If you look at the distribution of pitches, so many clubs have no space for girls' and women's football. They have ten youth teams, so ten boys' teams and two men's teams. But then there's no space for the girls' or women's team? And that's exactly where we want to highlight these problems. Where we want to point this out together and make it transparent so that we can then work together to develop funding programmes to reward the clubs that offer the space. Unfortunately, many clubs still prefer to take on a subtenant because it brings in money directly or they are simply not interested enough.

How important is the right youth work to encourage more girls to develop a passion for football?

Girls used to play in mixed programmes with the boys. Later there were some clubs that offered girls-only training. But it was difficult for them to to keep the girls happy. It was difficult to organise friendly matches. And joining the boys' leagues was really only for the better ones. And not every club can have the best 10 or 20 per cent of girls. That is simply not possible.

We then sat down with the clubs and looked at the areas in which age groups. So last spring we founded the girls' league. You can already see a strong increase. We started with 17 teams in the girls' leagues. There were 17 new teams that didn't exist before. We also had to realise, however, that some of the teams had to give up, so it's not so easy, but there is a positive development.

And the young girls are also the important thing, they are actually the basis. You need young talent to produce good players later on. And they have to be start as early as possible.

Is there a general tendency for girls to start playing football later than boys?

Yes, definitely. That was also one of the reasons why we set up the girls' leagues because girls simply start much later on average. And then you have the problem that when they play against boys, there's a big difference in experience from a sporting point of view. Because the girls start only at 13, 14 or even 15 and older.

Are there reasons why this is still the case?

There are several reasons. It is still partially anchored in society, that football is a men's sport, and it is often not even known which clubs offer football for girls. And also that some clubs simply don't offer girls what they want. Unfortunately, this is still the case right now, although there is an upturn in opportunities.

What role do sponsors and partners play in the development and support of women's teams and how can these relationships be strengthened?

Well, from a general point of view, the Women's Bundesliga has a sponsor this year. Apart from the Bundesliga, however, there is no other women's league in our country. national association that has a sponsor. The women's cup is not supported by a sponsor. I don't know how the individual clubs are doing, whether they already have major sponsors on board or not. However, it is more likely that, if there are sponsors, they are more often at the Bundesliga clubs. So there is definitely room for more sponsors in our game and our leagues

Perhaps it is also an opportunity for companies to set trends?

Yes, definitely. - The new London Underground line as an example, it was named after the lionesses. Internationally, there are some really good examples that are being set. So if anyone would like to sponsor the girls' league or the Viennese women's leagues, companies are very welcome to get in touch.

What other problems are there at the moment apart from financial resources?

In addition to the aforementioned structural problems of finding volunteer functionaries. The girls' teams sometimes can't find enough players. We have tried to recruit with Sara Telek and Kickmit, for example. Because they are working directly in the schools. The clubs can then write to Sara and invite players to come to training. But it all takes a lot of time. Nowadays of course, you can find many new players via social networks. But you also need Resources and a bit of expertise to do this and I think you cannot just use one recruitment method.

What about roles for women off the pitch?

The world of officials is very male-dominated, which is understandable because simply there are many more footballers. And in the end, some of these footballers will become officials at some point. It's the same with female footballers and the number of players is slowly increasing which means hopefully at some point, the number of female football officials will also increase. But as a woman, you then have to also have to think about whether, in such a male-dominated field, you can really feel welcome, that's one thing. You also have to think about whether you as an association welcomes women on the board - unfortunately, this is sometimes not yet the case. Then we also have to look at whether and how we can make women feel comfortable and at ease who want to work for us. On the other hand, it is generally the case that there are simply too few footballers who are able or willing to put in the time to make a difference. I think if a few people say, okay, we want to make a difference now, then it will work. But you need a few motivated people and that's not so easy to find.

What can/must the regional organisations do to increase the importance of the women's football?

Well, most of the work in the Vienna Football Association is done by volunteers. achieved. What I would actually recommend is a lot more young people on the Board. I would like to see a rejuvenation of the structures, the majority of the players are in an age that is not represented on the Board at all. I think I'm the youngest member of the board and I'm already in my late 30s, so I'm a long way from my early 20s. There are also only two women on the entire Executive Board. We are also currently working on a five-year plan for girls' and women's football in Vienna. And, there will be a joint meeting to work out common goals. There we want to prepare everything we want to achieve in girls' and women's football and also outline a path and develop concepts on how to get there.

What influence do professional female footballers have on changes in women's football?

It's gotten a lot better, because when I was young there was simply no one I could talk to or I could identify with. There was nothing on television or anyone that I could relate to as a could have looked up to a role model. Things are much better nowadays. If you look at the young players, they have different answers as to who their role models are, sometimes male, sometimes female role models, but they are present, they know the National team players. It has now also been seen in Vienna in the friendly match against France. The stadium was full, so the potential is definitely there that enough people come and watch.

Why should girls start playing football?

I still play football myself and have now started again after a break. It's a team sport that's a lot of fun and gives you a lot in return. Playing together and training is something very special and a pleasure and the joy that you experience on the pitch is just insanely fun. My dream is that every girl and woman in Vienna can play football. Unfortunately, there are not yet enough clubs. I would like everyone to have the opportunity to play football.

Weitere ähnliche Beiträge von zone14

Tags FFF, Interview

Blog

Sara Telek on being a female referee, the challenges and differences to male colleagues

Post author By Max Maximov
Post date 1. March 2024

Sara Telek on being a female referee, the challenges and differences to male colleagues

Julius Oppel
01/03/2024
FFF, Interview

In a fascinating interview, experienced Bundesliga and UEFA referee Sara Telek gives us an in-depth insight into her multifaceted journey through the world of sport. From her beginnings as a schoolgirl playing football in the school playground at break time to her impressive career as a referee. A unique insight into the challenges and triumphs in the life of a woman asserting herself in a male-dominated industry.

She not only talks about her own career, but also expresses her views on important football topics such as the VAR, the development of women's football in Austria and her experiences as a referee in an environment characterised by emotions. Her frank and clear words not only give us an insight into her personal development, but also provide valuable perspectives on current trends and challenges in football, particularly in the context of women's football.

Video-Interview: Sara Telek

From brushes to football

zone14: Sara, how did you get into football from an artistic background?

Sara Telek: It actually came about during art school, because back then I used to play football with my friends in the courtyard during breaks.

And that's how I developed a passion for football, which gave me more passion for this sport than I had for art.

Beginnings as a footballer

zone14: You played for ASC Erla, Wiener Viktoria, Wiener Sport-Club and you were also one of the founders of the Dornbach Girls. Was it ever your goal to become a professional?

Sara Telek: No, I realised that I started too late.

I didn't start playing football until I was 14, in sixth grade. I realised that I had potential with my feet and with the ball and that I had a talent for the sport because I was a very quick learner. I thought it was a bit of a shame that I hadn't found my way into football at an earlier age because I think there would have been options and opportunities for me then.

I realised from the start that I was just doing it for myself and for the fun of it. Playing football in the park was something I really enjoyed. And for me, it was just for the feeling, for the joy, for the fun. That was how I started.

For a long time, I wasn't even aware that there was an opportunity to play in a club. I come from a family that doesn't like sports, where football was never a topic. As a result, I didn't have access to sports clubs, sports training or football training. I took this path quite accidentally.

The path to becoming a referee

zone14: So how did you become a referee?

Sara Telek: Certain rules have to be followed during a 90-minute match. I thought it would be an advantage if I, as a player, was interested in the rules and knew them. At least to know them. That was the motivation for me to sign up for the refereeing course.

It was never my goal to referee a game, I just wanted to go through the theory and learn it for myself. But then you automatically have a test after you've learnt the theory. Then you've got the first game and then the next game and then you kind of automatically get into it. It just took its course.

Paths to the top

zone14: What paths do you take to get to the top?

Sara Telek: To get to the top first of all, you have to know where you want to go. Otherwise, it's just like being a player, you can go up and down. You will also be scored, which means you can earn points based on how you perform in the games. Things like fitness and knowledge of the rules are also taken into account.

It is exciting, of course, and you will have guidance in the early stages of your career. You will get a lot of feedback as well as an observer who will write reports and provide input. The more you get involved and the more you are in this world with your colleagues, the more you understand the whole system. Then you also understand the opportunities that open up. That you can go from junior leagues to competitive, and from competitive to pros. Then you can get into the list of the best talents, and you can become an international assistant or even referee. There are a lot of options and opportunities, and of course, ambition quickly makes you want to pursue more.

Personal experiences and challenges

zone14: What kind of challenges have you had to face in your experience as a referee?

Sara Telek: I think the early stages are always very challenging for a referee. Everything is new. You don't have the confidence, the routine. You also have to learn how to assert yourself. You're under a lot of pressure from the outside world and sometimes you're not even aware of it. If you can get through this phase and stick with it, you can make it.

The dropout rate is particularly high at the beginning because a lot of people have negative experiences and maybe have completely different expectations. And then they get disappointed. Or they find it difficult to deal with the criticism they receive on the pitch. Not just game-related criticism, but also personal criticism. You just have to learn to distance yourself from it very early on. Criticism, insults, whatever comes your way. You don't let it get to you, because it's not about you personally, it's about the function and the role that you're playing, where you might not be perfect or you might struggle at the beginning.

It's always challenging, every game is different, every game is in a different location, and you've got 22 different personalities out there and that makes it very exciting, varied, and challenging.

Fairness and leadership on the pitch

zone14: You have refereed over 300 matches and have shown a total of 463 yellow cards, 21 second yellow cards, and 17 straight red cards. Would you say you are a strict referee?

Sara Telek: No, I wouldn't really say I'm strict. I'm more of a referee who lets things happen, and who also thinks from the perspective of the game. As a player, I liked to play physically myself, but now I don't think I'm a referee who is quick or easy to show a card. Unless a certain limit is reached.

I've just found a good instinct, I suppose. I know when to let a game go. Of course, I can't let every game go straight away, sometimes players or challenges are just too heated. You just have to be aware and know that you can't let go too much or let the game become too physical. Otherwise, it becomes more difficult to manage.

A feel for characters

zone14: Would you describe yourself as a good judge of character? In the sense that you quickly understand the personalities within the teams?

Sara Telek: I think this ability has helped me a lot. If you can read people or characters from the beginning and recognise situations in advance or before they happen, then you've already gained a lot. You can prevent things from going too far in the first place because you can see that things are about to get critical. In other words, I think that if you are good at interpreting facial expressions or gestures, the role of a referee will be easier for you.

Concerns and downsides

zone14: Have you ever had doubts during a match? About your performance, but also about comments from fans and players.

Sara Telek: I think I've had one or two matches, especially at the youth level, where I've realised that I have a lot to learn or work on and that one match certainly wasn't my best day.

I may have been overwhelmed at the time, but I don't think I ever considered giving up. That was certainly over ten years ago now. But I think it's a problem for a lot of my colleagues. You need a tough skin, and I'm sure I've developed that over the years.

Same playing field, different criticism

zone14: Are there any differences between a woman and a man in charge of the game?

Sara Telek: Basically, I think it doesn't really make a difference if we assume that they both perform at the same level as a referee. If someone isn't good, isn't recognised or accepted, then it doesn't matter if you're a man or a woman. Then there will be criticism or confrontation from the players.

I think any weaknesses are just picked on, criticised, and used to insult. And in the case of a female referee, it's probably the issue of women being asked to go into the kitchen, whereas in the case of a male referee, it's some other characteristic, maybe he's a little bit fatter, a little bit shorter, maybe he's bald or wears glasses. Then you look for some detail that stands out.

Fair play against prejudice

zone14: What about misogyny in the workplace? Have you experienced anything like that?

Sara Telek: Of course you hear about it, especially from the crowd, there are sexist reports. Rarely from players and coaches. I think everyone is aware of their responsibilities and their role. Of course, there are moments when players don't pull themselves together or, let's say, make verbal comments. And depending on how out of line it is, I react accordingly. If it doesn't bother me, I ignore it. Sometimes it's something where I have to say something back to them and give them a bit of a verbal slap. Or if it's really something where I say it's no longer acceptable and the game can’t continue, then you have to apologise, work in a disciplined way, and explain it to the other players.

Technology as support

zone14: As a technology start-up, we are naturally also interested in your opinion on VAR, i.e. video assistance for referees. Has it made life easier for referees? If so, is there still room for improvement?

Sara Telek: Yes, definitely. On the one hand, VAR has made football fairer, as the statistics show. But it has also made it more difficult because there is now another component to it, the technical one. In my opinion, the most important thing here is communication, on-field communication. The referee team is on the pitch, but so are the players. And in the background, with the video referee, you have to make sure there are no misunderstandings. Nevertheless, in the end, everything is more transparent now, which I think is very positive.

Potential, professionalisation and the future

zone14: In our campaign we are focussing on women in football, in which direction is women's football currently moving in Austria?

Sara Telek: Women's football has come a long way in the last 10 years and a lot has been done to improve it. However, I believe and am convinced that there is still so much potential. We have to be careful not to stand still or even go backwards. You have to keep going and keep moving forward, create additional structures, and build professionalism. It is clear that Austrian football is developing, also in the professional sector. From a financial point of view, of course, the first movers will benefit enormously in the long run and will almost certainly be the winners in the long run. Those who only move up step by step will find it very difficult to catch up or maintain their level.

But overall, I think Austria can be proud of what it has done. I just think that the broad masses are perhaps still not reached enough. Quality comes from quantity, and I believe that the more young players are exposed to the game and simply have fun, enjoyment, and passion for the game, the more potential there is for the future. Not just in terms of players, but in football in general. To get more coaches, referees, and officials, at all levels and in all areas. To create even more diversity and therefore more opportunities.

Focus: Women in football 2024 - The Talk

zone14 invites you to the highlight of its month-long campaign on Monday, 4 March at 5.30 pm: "Focus: Women in football - The Talk". This is a panel discussion with prominent guests from the world of women's football. The event will take place at the FH-Technikum at Höchstädtplatz 6 in the 20th district.

The head coach of SK Rapid Vienna, Katja Gürtler, the 74-time ÖFB team player and sporting director of FK Austria Vienna, Lisa Makas, the sporting director of LASK Linz, Walter Weiss, and the sporting director of Sturm Graz, Michael Erlitz, have been announced. Also present will be the project manager of the fairplay initiative, Nikola Staritz, the Bundesliga and UEFA referee Sara Telek, Anna Ressmann from the WFV women's committee and Jasmine Sommer from real.girls.play.SOCCER. The guests will discuss everything to do with sport in two highly interesting constellations. The evening will be hosted by Sky reporter Nera Palinic.

As a thank you for reading this blog, the first 10 of you can use the discount code "blog1" to get the tickets completely free .

Weitere ähnliche Beiträge von zone14

Tags FFF, Interview

Blog

Frauen im Fußball – The Talk 2024

Post author By Nathan George
Post date 29. February 2024

Frauen im Fußball – The Talk 2024

zone14
29/02/2024
FFF, LIVE

Im Rahmen unseres Fokus: Frauen im Fußball Monat, freuen wir uns jetzt, „Frauen im Fußball- The Talk“ anzukündigen, eine spannende Podiumsdiskussion und Netzwerkveranstaltung, die am 4. März an der FH-Technikum Wien stattfinden wird. Die Veranstaltung bietet eine spannende Diskussion über die aktuellen Entwicklungen im österreichischen Frauenfußball und ermöglicht die Chance, sich mit anderen Trainer/innen, Spieler/innen und Interessierten auszutauschen.

Durch das Gespräch führt Sky-Reporterin Nera Palinic, die sich mit ihrem Fachwissen und ihrer Leidenschaft für den Fußball auszeichnet.

Es freut uns, dass wir folgende großartige Redner/innen gewinnen konnten! Unsere Gäste sind:

die erfahrene Bundesliga- und UEFA-Schiedsrichterin Sara Telek
Jasmine Sommer von Real Girls Play Soccer im Burgenland
vom SK Rapid Wien werden Cheftrainerin Katja Gürtler
Michael Erlitz, Sportlicher Leiter bei Sturm Graz Damen
Walter Weiss, Sportlicher Leiter bei den LASK Frauen
Nikola Staritz, Projektleiterin bei der fairplay-Initiative
Anna Ressmann, Frauenausschuss WFV & Sektionsleiterin Frauen FC Mariahilf
Lisa Makas, Sportliche Leitung Frauenfußball bei FK Austria Wien und 74-fache ÖFB- Teamspielerin

Wir danken unseren offiziellen Veranstaltungspartnern, der Raiffeisen Bank International, der FH Tecknikum Wien, Neoh und Fleischerei Metzker für ihre Unterstützung, die diese Veranstaltung möglich macht! Wir freuen uns darauf, dich dort zu sehen! 👋

Weitere ähnliche Beiträge von zone14

Tags FFF, LIVE

contents

Finding the best football camera for recording and analysis

Battery Life

Football recording quality

The best camera for tactical analysis

AI Football Camera Revolution

Affordable football camera

Live Streaming your football match

Reliable football camera

Data Analytics Camera: The Modern Game-Changer

Deeper insights thanks to video-based statistics with zone14

Conclusion

Weitere ähnliche Beiträge von zone14

contents

What is important in drills for dribbling and technique

Technical principles

Areas of application for technical exercises

Examples of technical exercises in football

Technique for passing and scoring

5 top technique exercises

Video analysis as an aid for technical exercises

Conclusion

Weitere ähnliche Beiträge von zone14

contents

Subscribe to our email list for news and updates

Improving Team Performance with Running Stats in Football

The Significance of Running Stats in Football

Player Fitness and Performance Optimisation

Strategic Insights from Running Distance

Unleashing the Power of High-Intensity Running

Why is speed important?

Injury Prevention and Management

Real-Time Tactical Adaptations

zone14 STATS: Revolutionising Football Analytics for clubs of all levels.

Weitere ähnliche Beiträge von zone14

contents

Subscribe to our email list for news and updates

Ein Spiel, ein Tampon, eine Idee: der Anstoß für DIE NEUE REGEL

The New Rule

How does it work?

Weitere ähnliche Beiträge von zone14

contents

Subscribe to our email list for news and updates

Oliver Jakob on the development of women's football and the success story of SCR Altach

Introduction

Day to day work

How has women's football changed?

Resources and structure at SCR Altach

Success at SCR Altach

Differences between men's and women's football

How can women's football develop further?

How can we get more girls playing football?

Weitere ähnliche Beiträge von zone14

contents

Subscribe to our email list for news and updates

Understanding ACL Injuries in Women's Football

Bare minimum was the past, we demand more

Women Football Stars and Their Battles with ACL Injuries

The Anatomy of ACL Injuries and Recovery Challenges

The Disturbing Trend of ACL Injuries in Women’s Football

ACL Injury Gap: Biases and Breakthroughs in Women's Football

The Role of Equipment in ACL Injury Risks

The Impact of Growing Popularity on ACL Risks in Women's Football

Gender-Specific Challenges in Training and Recovery

Personal Perspectives on the ACL Injury Experience and Treatment in Austria

The Way Forward: Acknowledging and Addressing the Women's Needs

Conclusion: Demanding More for Women’s Football

FAQ

Weitere ähnliche Beiträge von zone14

contents

Subscribe to our email list for news and updates

The history of women's football

The beginnings of women's football

Fight for recognition

A milestone for equality

A look at existing barriers

Promising prospects

Global triumph

Beyond the sport

Conclusion