This initiative is a deliberate move towards instilling professionalism in the Women’s Premier League, aligning it with the standards set for its male counterparts.
In an effort to enhance the stature of women’s football, the Football Kenya Federation embraces the FKF Women Club Licensing Regulations, set to be enforced in the upcoming 2024–25 season. This regulatory framework, introduced by the Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF), aims to ensure that football clubs participating in CAF competitions meet specified standards across sporting, infrastructure, administrative, legal, and financial dimensions.
This initiative is a deliberate move towards instilling professionalism in the Women’s Premier League, aligning it with the standards set for its male counterparts. The FKF Women Club Licensing Regulations particularly emphasize improvements in infrastructural requirements. Clubs are now mandated to meet specified infrastructure standards, covering stadium availability, training facilities, and office space. This is a crucial step to ensure that women’s football clubs' facilities meet global benchmarks.
Prioritizing player welfare and youth development, the regulations introduce criteria for medical care, safeguarding policies, and the establishment of youth teams. The overarching aim is to cultivate a positive environment for players both on and off the field. The regulations also prescribe a revamped personnel and administrative structure for women’s football clubs, making key appointments such as a general manager, team manager, physiotherapist, head coach, and a female coach mandatory.
To ensure financial stability, clubs are now obligated to maintain dedicated bank accounts specifically for women’s football transactions. The regulations underscore transparency and accountability by requiring clubs to submit audited annual financial statements. Legal legitimacy is also a focus, with clubs mandated to submit legal documents proving ownership and control, ensuring no conflicting interests.
Contracts with professional players must adhere to FIFA regulations, and clubs are encouraged to formalize agreements between their men’s and women’s football entities. FIFA, through its confederations, highlights the significance of club licensing as a method for improving club football. This approach addresses crucial aspects including club governance and youth football, presenting a globally accepted holistic strategy.
The implementation of these standards reflects a commitment to fostering growth and professionalism in women’s football, paving the way for a revolutionary journey ahead.