Portuguese Football Federation announces scholarships for players

The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) announced this Thursday the creation of a scholarship program for players playing in the I women’s football division, in a meeting that praised the growth of this sector in Portugal.

The 2023/2024 Women’s I Division Championship, which begins this weekend, was the target of the kick-off session, which took place at the All In One Building in Lisbon and included representatives from all clubs participating in the main championship. women’s national team, as well as one player from each team, with the exception of Sporting Braga.

The session also included a short debate on “Football as a Social Driver for Equality”, which focused on ideas about the current state of women’s football in Portugal and was open to participation by all present.

The main innovation of the event was the creation of a scholarship program for players playing in the Women’s League, in partnership between FPF, competition sponsor BPI Bank and La Caixa Foundation.

The initiative will allow 20 players participating in the Portuguese Women’s Championship to continue their academic careers simultaneously with their sporting careers at the highest level – a new development that has the support of all clubs present.

FPF Director of Women’s Football Monica Jorge was proud to establish the scholarship and valued the impact it could have on the future of footballers at the highest level in Portugal.

“These are scholarships intended for all athletes from the 12 clubs that are part of the BPI League. [I divisão de futebol feminino portuguesa]who may be competing and trying to get into college, a degree, or graduate school. The position will be public, you will be able to read it later and get additional information, but all these scholarships can be applied for higher education,” explained the federal leader.

Monica Jorge also highlighted the growth of the Portuguese women’s championship and its proximity to major international competitions, welcoming the union of the federation and all clubs in favor of an increasingly competitive women’s football.

“We always have to deal with clubs, every year we hold two seminars where we present proposals and discuss them. We have already had different forms, depending on different realities, and one thing is certain: 10 years ago the FPF stated that the main goal is for all teams in Portugal to have women’s football,” he said on behalf of the institution he represents.

In his speech, FPF President Fernando Gomes also emphasized his pride in the fact that the Women’s Super Cup final played on Wednesday between Benfica and Sporting attracted the attention of the television audience.

“The game between Benfica and Sporting, as everyone knows, brought the television audience ahead of the news and, above all, demonstrated what we were talking about, namely a very positive evolution of the path and interest in women’s football, and since “We have known about this for a long time,” the head of the FPF congratulated.