THE GFA has appointed Advocate Sara Mallett to head an investigation into how and why the association has failed women’s football. Advocate Mallett will chair a working party to consider the future of women’s football in Guernsey.

‘The Guernsey Ladies’ Football Association ceased to exist in 2003 when it was merged with the Guernsey Football Association. The association accepts that regrettably women’s football has not been developed properly since that radical change,’ said GFA secretary Matt Fallaize.

‘During the 2003-4 season, the association failed to recognise the needs and challenges of women’s football and failed to plan for the future of women’s football.’

Fallaize said that plans were already in place to remedy what the association already considers to be shortfalls in their provision of the sport for women.

‘The association is now putting that right: we are discussing the possibility of expanding the programme of our women’s island team; we have already expanded the programme of the Cable & Wireless women’s league championship for this season by offering all teams an extra five fixtures; and another club – Northerners – has joined the league,’ said Fallaize.

However, it has become clear to the GFA that a ‘root-and-branch’ assessment of each aspect of women’s football was necessary to ensure that the sport prospered. Hence the formation of a working party.

Advocate Mallett was nominated by GFA president Dave Dorey at the most recent council meeting. Her nomination was approved unanimously.

The GFA has deliberately chosen not to draw up terms of reference for the working party. It is crucial that Advocate Mallett and her team have the capacity to carry out a thorough investigation of all areas of women’s football and the association does not wish to constrain their work in any way, said Fallaize.

Advocate Mallett is in the process of selecting those people with whom she wishes to work.

‘Although the association has invited Advocate Mallett to choose her own team, it is only right that she must take her appointees to council for final approval,’ said Fallaize.

‘The association is extremely fortunate that Advocate Mallett has agreed to chair the working party. She is passionate about football and her professional background and experience made her the outstanding candidate.

‘The association has every confidence that Advocate Mallett and her team shall report back with a series of recommendations to develop women’s football,’ he said.

‘It is hoped that everyone in women’s football will offer the working party their full support and co-operation to get the job done.’