In a landmark move to elevate women’s football in Seychelles, the Seychelles Football Federation (SFF), with the support of FIFA expert Thuba Sibanda, recently hosted a Stakeholder Consultation Workshop. This pivotal session marked the first phase in the development of a new Women’s Football Strategy, a forward-thinking initiative aimed at providing a structured roadmap to grow the sport at all levels.
A Collaborative Effort to Shape the Future
Led by Chris Yip-Au, Head of Women’s Football, the workshop brought together key stakeholders to define the future of the women’s game in Seychelles. With women’s football gaining significant global recognition, the urgency to implement a clear, well-structured development plan has never been greater.
Seychelles has made significant strides in women’s football, yet challenges persist—particularly in creating sustainable pathways for young players, coaches, and administrators. According to Yip-Au, the new strategy is not just about participation but about fostering excellence and long-term sustainability.
“Women’s football in Seychelles has incredible potential, but without a structured plan, progress will remain inconsistent. This strategy will ensure that we provide a clear pathway for young girls to develop, compete, and dream bigger.” – Chris Yip-Au, Head of Women’s Football
Key Focus Areas of the Workshop
The Stakeholder Consultation Workshop served as the foundation for this ambitious project, covering key areas essential for sustainable football development:
✔️ Reviewing Past Strategies – Analyzing previous successes and challenges to build a stronger framework.
✔️ SWOT Analysis – Identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats within the women’s game.
✔️ Empathy Mapping – Understanding the experiences of players, coaches, and stakeholders to ensure a player-centered and inclusive approach.
✔️Setting Priorities – Establishing focus areas such as grassroots development, elite pathways, and coaching education.
✔️ Strategic Actions – Developing measurable, actionable steps to drive progress and accountability.
✔️ Defining Vision, Mission & Values – Establishing the guiding principles that will shape future development.
✔️ Creating an Action Plan – Setting short-term and long-term objectives to ensure continuous growth.
Next Steps: Turning Plans into Action
With the first phase successfully completed, the SFF will now collaborate with the Women’s Football Committee and various SFF departments to refine the insights gathered. The next step involves drafting and finalizing the Women’s Football Strategy, which is expected to be officially launched later this year.
FIFA expert Thuba Sibanda, who guided the process, expressed confidence in Seychelles’ commitment to developing the women’s game:
“It’s been great to see the continued work and progress being done by the Seychelles Football Federation towards advancing women’s football. This week is an example of that great work in action, setting a three-year plan that will guide the continued growth of the women’s game in Seychelles.
I have no doubt that the work we have done this week will lead to some incredible outcomes in the near future. I’d like to thank the Seychelles Football Federation for taking the bold step to invest in women’s football and backing it with the support it needs to thrive.” – Thuba Sibanda, FIFA Expert
More Than Just a Strategy – A Commitment to Progress
For a nation as small as Seychelles, where resources and competitive opportunities are limited, establishing a robust women’s football framework is crucial. This initiative represents more than just an administrative process—it is a firm commitment to empowering young female footballers, providing them with the resources, coaching, and opportunities needed to reach their full potential.
As Seychelles embarks on this transformative journey, one thing is certain: women’s football is here to stay, and the future looks brighter than ever.
