UEFA plans to double the number of women playing football in Europe

UEFA has launched a five-year plan to double the number of women and girls playing football across Europe, and increase female representation on all official bodies by 50 per cent.

Measures taken in the last three years include increasing by half UEFA funding to its women's football development programme from 2020, launching the Together #WePlayStrong campaign and creating a specific women's football unit.

However, for the first time in its history the governing body has now put together a dedicated strategy to boost the women's game.

President Aleksander Ceferin said: "Women's football is the football of today. It is not the football of tomorrow.

"It is UEFA's duty as European football's governing body to empower the women's game.

"So UEFA will put significant financial investment into the sport - underlining that it dares to aim high and make European football as great as it can be.

"The actions that we propose and commit to in 2019 will lead to a greater, more professional and more prosperous game by 2024. Time for action!"

By 2024 the strategy aims to double the number of women and girls playing football in member associations to 2.5 million, double female representation on all UEFA bodies and change the perceptions of women's football across Europe.

It also looks to double the reach and value of the Women's Euros and the Women's Champions League and improve player standards by reaching agreements for national team players and putting safeguarding policies in place.

The plan has been drawn up with UEFA member associations, leagues, clubs, players and other stakeholders.

UEFA's head of women's football Nadine Kessler said: "This strategy will champion, innovate and accelerate women's football for all so that every women and girl can have a love and affinity for football whether as a player, coach,
referee, administrator or fan."