Zambia U17 Women’s National team head coach Carol Kanyemba says the new rule introduced by FIFA regarding female coaches will promote women’s involvement in football. 

The new rule stipulates that every participating team in FIFA football competitions must include at least one female head coach or assistant coach in accordance with the introduction of the new rules. 

Under the new rules, at least two female coaches should be part of the technical bench, with one as head coach and the other as assistant coach, respectively. 

The new regulations will be applied during the upcoming U17 and U20 Women’s World Cup and Women’s Champions Cup competitions this year. 

The new rule will apply to all youth and senior tournaments, including club and national teams.

According to FIFA, “From this year onwards, each team participating in FIFA’s Women’s Competitions shall ensure that their head coach or at least one of the assistant coaches be female, that at least one of the medical staff be female, and that at least two officials seated on the team bench be female. This applies to all youth and senior tournaments, national team competitions, and club competitions,” FIFA announced. 

However, speaking to Bolanews exclusively, Coach Kanyemba said, “This is a wonderful rule by FIFA that will definitely improve women’s participation in developing women’s football because there will be an assurance of almost every woman coaching at the highest level and obtaining good experience,” she said. 

“This decision will help promote women’s participation in coaching roles. We appreciate the male counterparts for helping us and grooming us to become better coaches,” noted Kanyemba. 

READ ALSO: FIFA Announces New Rule Requiring Female Head or Assistant Coach in all Women’s Teams.