Melanesia

Sarah Flavall, Women's Football Development Adviser, Vanuatu.

Sarah Flavall has spent the last couple of years as a Women's Football Development Adviser in northern Vanuatu and has seen first-hand the benefits of sport in a developing nation

The dust rises as 14 girls pit their skills and agility on a dry football field in Ambrym, dominated by the ever-present ashes blong volcano. The girls, ranging in age from 13 to 35, have congregated in the community of Lolibulo to participate in the first ever women's three-day football tournament, part of a grassroots programme I developed with my counterpart Elsie Titus for the Vanuatu Football Federation. Competition, laughter, friendships: the dynamics of team sport come together through months of preparation even before the referee's whistle blows to begin the first game.

This is just one aspect of a programme which has included coaching and refereeing courses. At the heart of it is the objective to provide increased opportunities for young women in a country where the status of women is low. Experiences outside the home can be few and far between for women in Vanuatu, with many either having never attended school or leaving school around year 6. Responsibilities in homes and gardens result in limited encounters beyond the village, whereas brothers travel for school, work, sport and cultural opportunities.

Through the women's football development programme, women have the chance to expand their horizons: travelling to other islands, meeting other women and enhancing their experiences, whether it be through the national championships in the capital, Port Vila, or competition and training workshops on neighbouring islands. These experiences will stay with the women for their lifetime.

Sport and education

Working with established youth organisations, particularly with Wan Smolbag's Northern Youth Centre, the women's football development programme has incorporated peer education activities for rural football events. This has given women the chance to learn about health issues including family planning, STIs - HIV and AIDS, and the effects of drugs and alcohol. For many this was the first time they had access to basic information from how babies are conceived and develop, through to the short- and long-term effects of alcohol and drugs. Because the youth centres are based in urban areas, rural communities don't get regular access to peer educators, so including this as part of rural training has been a huge bonus for participants. Being able to talk about issues in a more relaxed environment was particularly good for girls.

Instilling skills through sport

Leadership, team work and time management are all skills that grow and develop through team sport. A week-long tournament becomes the fruit of months of preparation, and the result, in places like Ambrym, is a major highlight in the year's calendar for the whole community.

In the urban areas of Luganville and Port Vila, the holding of championships, and the organisation of leagues, referees, and teams, is rewarded by increasing numbers of girls participating and a rise in the standard of play. The Fresh Cargo Challenge Shield was developed for representative teams from two urban areas to go head-to-head in a home-and-away format competition. The Port Vila selection travelled to Luganville for a week of matches, with more than 1000 spectators paying 100VT (NZ$1.50) to enjoy the finals match. The success of such a major tournament showed it was possible to arrange quality women's football on a small budget and in partnership with local business houses. It also confirmed people are interested in women's soccer.

I believe, and have seen proof, that female participation in sports, particularly in coaching and refereeing, helps break down barriers between the genders in a non-confrontational way, contributing to learning and understanding for men and women. In particular, women working as referees in urban areas have had a huge impact on the dynamics of the interactions between men and women in football and also pave the way for positive working relationships, support and cooperation.

While the benefits such as increased health and fitness are great for local women, unlocking opportunities through sport is an aspect of sport as a development mode with huge potentially positive impacts for rural and urban communities. With well-run programmes focusing on the needs of women in the communities, sports such as football can be used as a wider development tool to enhance women's lives and experiences on a day-to-day basis.

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This article is featured in the May 2010 issue of VISTA - VSA's window on the world of development.  Download VISTA here (PDF).