Page 12 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.12 2020/21

Professor Laura McAllister, the Football Association
of Wales nominee for FIFA Council, has launched
her manifesto ahead of the election at the UEFA
Annual Congress on 20 April, when European
Member Associations will vote for their
representatives.
McAllister’s manifesto highlights the former
Wales captain’s long-standing experience in football
and how it aligns with her professional skills,
demonstrating how she is the ideal candidate to
represent the European Member Associations on the
Council of the world’s governing body of association
football.
“I am committed to protecting the integrity of football at every level, to ensure that our
game is accessible and available to all and I am ready to be innovative in my approach,” says
McAllister, who talks with authority.
Not only has McAllister been capped 24 times by Wales, but she has also held senior
roles in sports leadership and governance. Having been chair of Sport Wales – the national
organisation responsible for developing and promoting sport and physical activity in Wales –
and a member of the Board of UK Sport, which is responsible for investing in Olympic and
Paralympic sport in the United Kingdom, McAllister is perfectly placed to understand the
needs of UEFA Member Associations and represent them on FIFA Council.
Being a Board Director with the Football Association of Wales and a key member of
UEFA’s Women’s Football Strategy Steering Group, McAllister has hands on experience of
working to develop a strong pathway for elite players and to expand grassroots and community
football, key aims of all Member Associations.
It is, therefore, with experience and knowledge that McAllister sets out the core themes
that she is campaigning on ahead of the election:
● Member Associations & Clubs: Nurturing the game in all its forms and ensuring football
touches and enriches every community.
● Competitive Balance: Assisting every association along its journey to strengthen football
for everyone, everywhere.
● Women’s Football: The game has enormous untapped potential and represents a growth
opportunity, both in terms of participation but also commercially on a worldwide level.
● Integrity, Governance & Tackling Abuse: The integrity of football is paramount and
doping, match fixing and corruption must all be tackled. A strong approach to online
abuse must also be a priority.
“I will use my football background and pedigree, aligned with my professional skills, to
work tirelessly to develop and advance our game for everyone,” is the message that McAllister
is communicating to all Member Associations. “I pledge that my door will always be open to
ensure that I am able to represent everyone’s priorities and concerns to the very best of my
ability.”
The FAW fully supports Professor Laura McAllister’s candidacy and for further
information on Professor Laura McAllister’s candidacy, please visit
lauramcallisterforfootball.com.
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Issue no. 12 - 8 April 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk