Maltese women’s football on target for cultural shift

This article is part of our special report TARGET – youth football players as ambassadors for gender equality.

Malta has taken significant strides towards promoting gender equality in football. Through strategic initiatives and a cultural shift in perception, the Maltese football community is becoming an inclusive environment for women in the sport.

Although football is still regarded as a male-dominated sport, the Maltese Football Association (Malta FA) has been committed to fostering gender equality, with the past five years marking some of the biggest changes.

PROGRES and iFLIPP are two past projects that have helped transformation on the ground. Studies on gender representation in other disciplines, including rugby, water polo, and basketball, have shaped policies at levelling the playing field.

Now with the EU’s TARGET football project, Malta has achieved notable milestones, most importantly the appointment of a female coach for the women’s national team, along with a female vice president in the association.

Last December, Dr Maria Azzopardi was appointed as the new General Secretary of the Malta FA, after making history as the first female to occupy the role of the vice president of the Maltese football governing body.

Encouraging female participation

To ensure equal opportunities for women, several grassroots initiatives have been introduced. The ‘She Scores’ project, for example, provides a welcoming space for women of all backgrounds and abilities to participate in Sunday football sessions.

Many women don’t have structured opportunities to play football, making such projects essential in breaking down barriers. Additionally, mixed training for boys and girls at younger ages has been encouraged, fostering a culture of inclusivity from an early age.

There is a positive attitude from football fans and players alike in supporting these initiatives. However, notable challenges remain.

Some disparities prevail

Disparities in training conditions, funding, and recognition persist. Women’s teams have seen some improvements in facilities, but equal treatment remains an ongoing struggle.

However, positive cultural shifts are evident. Women’s football matches in Malta have not been marred by incidents of sexism or harassment, and the success of the national women’s team has further fuelled interest in the sport.

Financial backing is one of the biggest hurdles for women’s football in Malta, but not only. Even though the sport is generally loved, investments are not always on par.

Sponsorship opportunities for women’s teams do not yet match those of men’s teams. Interestingly, individual female players sometimes attract more sponsorship than their male counterparts, indicating a market interest in women’s football.

While investment in the sport is slowly improving, the Malta FA acknowledges that more needs to be done to close the funding gap and ensure long-term sustainability for women’s football in the country.

The future of women’s football

The TARGET project is set to further drive gender equality in Maltese football, aiming to turn policies into tangible opportunities, increasing female interest in football administration and expanding grassroots programmes.

These programmes will not only encourage more women to play football but also provide pathways into coaching, refereeing, and management roles, yielding concrete results.

The Malta FA is set to create a lasting legacy when it comes to gender equality and accessibility, educating people to be more involved in reducing imbalances, and creating a more equitable football landscape for all those who love the sport.

And it seems that the strategies are succeeding. Malta found itself improving in the Gender Equality Index in 2024, scoring 70.1 points out of 100. It now ranks 13th in the EU, with its score only 0.9 points lower than the bloc’s average.

[Edited By Brian Maguire | Euractiv's Advocacy Lab ]