Futsal opens doors and promotes women's soccer in Brazil
What do goalkeepers Bárbara, Lelê, and Camila, defenders Rafaelle, Mônica, and Kathellen, full-backs Tamires and Bruninha, and forwards Geyse, Debinha, and Marta have in common apart from having represented Brazil at the last women's World Cup? They've all played futsal.
It's no coincidence. One of the findings of the Diagnosis of Women's Football in Brazil, drawn up by the Ministry of Sport, is that 88 percent of active adult footballers in the country have played futsal at some point in their careers. When it comes to grassroots players, the statistic is similar: 89 percent of them played or still play futsal.
"Futsal is one of the most played sports in the world. Wherever you go, there's a court. It's much easier for girls to access it," said Talita Queiroz, youth coach at Magnus Taboão, in Taboão da Serra, São Paulo, one of the country's leading futsal teams. “Futsal provides an ideal training ground for technique, tactics, ball control, and decision-making. As a result, those transitioning from futsal to soccer tend to arrive better equipped and more prepared for the demands of outdoor soccer,” the coach says.
Queiroz's work with Taboão's U12 and U14 teams reveals a trend of young girls engaging in both indoor and outdoor soccer simultaneously. Victória Morais, a 13-year-old player who also represents São Paulo's U15 team, exemplifies this pattern.
"I attend school, head to field training [at São Paulo], and follow it up with futsal practice in the evenings. It's demanding and tiring, but I believe it'll pay off in the long run," expressed Morais, who isn't rushing to choose her preferred sport.
"I adore soccer in all its forms—field and futsal. Right now, there's no need to pick one. I simply want to enjoy the game, find happiness, and pursue my passion," she declared.
Isabella Fernanda, a 12-year-old athlete, splits her time between the field and the court. Born in Boituva, São Paulo, she participates in Taboão's U12 squad while also being part of the Meninas em Campo project, an initiative bringing soccer to girls aged 8 to 17 in the state capital.
"I began my journey in the countryside, right in my hometown. It was just me and another girl in a sea of boys," said Isabella Fernanda. She passionately admires Tamires and Debinha from the Brazilian national team, and her excitement surged upon learning that both of them also ventured into the world of futsal.
Safe environment
Victória Morais embarked on her soccer journey also amidst a group of boys, both on the court and the field. The athlete's mother recalled the family's initial apprehension about the potential prejudice her daughter could suffer for pursuing soccer, instilled by her father and brother. This concern sparked a sense of vigilance within the family, yet there has never been a lack of support.
"At the beginning of her journey, there were scarce opportunities for girls' youth teams. It was right here in Taboão that she began playing with other girls when she was around nine to ten years old. Today, we can truly witness the fruits of her training in the countryside," her mother remarked.
This scenario highlights another significant finding from the diagnosis. Over the past four years, programs funded by secretariats or directorates associated with the Ministry of Sport, known as "direct actions," benefited a total of 94,990 individuals. However, it is noteworthy that only 17,695 of these beneficiaries were girls or women who received support.
"Public policies serve as a gateway for girls to access projects. However, merely enrolling them in these initiatives is insufficient for the sustainable growth of the discipline. It's imperative to implement strategies that encourage their continued participation. In this context, I want to emphasize the crucial requirement for creating a secure environment for girls and women in sports, addressing concerns related to harassment, violence, and rape," warned Silvana Goellner, a professor at the Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), researcher, and advocate for women's soccer.
This survey serves as an inaugural step in the National Strategy for Women's Football, championed by the Ministry of Sport and endorsed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in March. Its purpose is to shape policies and initiatives aimed at advancing women's soccer, a sport that was once prohibited for women in Brazil between 1941 and 1983.
