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CONCACAF region football leaders, including the Confederation’s President, Victor Montagliani and CONCACAF and FIFA Council Member and Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association President Sonia Fulford took time last week to celebrate the growth and development of women’s football in CONCACAF, and to recognize the impressive contribution of many women in the sport in our region.
President Montagliani opened the CONCACAF W Football Summit in San Diego, California, two days before the 2024 W Gold Cup Final. He praised the 41 CONCACAF federations for the hard work they have undertaken over the past five years to deliver on the CONCACAF W strategy that he launched in 2019, and he spoke of women’s football “being the present” for CONCACAF. Montagliani also provided an update on CONCACAF’s next phase of their women’s football strategy, with one of the key focus areas being an official confederation women’s club competition which would provide the qualification path to the new FIFA Women’s Club World Cup.
In a separate event organized by the Turks and Caicos Department of Gender Affairs, the President of the Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association Sonia Fulford, who also serves as a CONCACAF and FIFA Council Member, was a guest speaker and provided an impactful speech about her own personal journey in football and the obstacles she has faced as a female leader in the sport. President Fulford highlighted the importance of unity, perseverance, and determination in breaking barriers and achieving success.
At the W Gold Cup Final, President Fulford played a key role in the presentation ceremony and after the match spoke glowingly about the tournament:
“The passion and dedication of the athletes illuminated the field, showing the world the power of teamwork, skill, and resilience. As the sun set on the horizon, it was a reminder that in unity, there is strength. Women’s football is not just a sport, but a movement that inspires and empowers individuals to reach new heights and break barriers. It is a celebration of talent, determination, and the unbreakable spirit of women in sports. Continuing to embrace the essence of International Women’s Day, let’s persist in backing and empowering women in football, celebrating their accomplishments and encouraging their path to even greater achievements.”
The CONCACAF W Football Summit also provided a tremendous opportunity to hear insights from other leaders in the women’s game in the region. As part of a speaking panel discussing the opportunities of growing and sport locally, the Bahamas FA President, Anya James, provided inspirational words about her journey to becoming the federation’s first female President, and the work she has led in collaboration with CONCACAF to support women in the Bahamas in obtaining formal coaching licenses.
On the same panel was Monique André, Member of the Haiti Normalization Committee, and an experienced leader in football in Haiti and the region. André spoke passionately to the audience about the unprecedented challenges faced in Haiti to simply continue playing football. She provided details of the incredible work she is carrying out to support the Haitian Women’s National Teams. Her strength of character and inspirational words truly struck a chord with the audience.
On the final speaking panel of the event, US Soccer President and CONCACAF Council Member Cindy Parlow Cone provided the audience with her perspective on the role that former players can play in off-the-field leadership roles, including her own journey from FIFA World Cup champion and US Women’s National Team player to becoming the federation’s President.
The event also included excellent contributions from San Diego Wave President and former United States Women’s National Team Head Coach, Jill Ellis, FIFA’s Head of Women’s Football Competitions, Sara Booth, Portland Thorns General Manager and President of Operations and former Canada Women’s National Team star, Karina Le Blanc, President of Angel City FC Julie Uhrman, CONCACAF Refereeing Committee Member Kelesha Antoine and CONCACAF’s General Secretary, Philippe Moggio and Chief Commercial Officer, Heidi Pellerano among other notable former players and representatives from commercial sponsors investing in the women’s game.
The CONCACAF W Football Summit preceded the CONCACAF W Gold Cup Final, the closing match of the inaugural competition which saw 15 women’s national teams compete to be crowned regional champion. The Final saw the United States defeat Brazil 1-0 at Snapdragon Stadium San Diego, with a passionate crowd of 31,500+ fans enjoying the spectacle.
