Hope Powell has been elected by the FA as the first ever Head Coach for the Team GB female Football team who will compete at the London Olympics.
Powell, who is now into her thirteenth year as England Head Coach, has lead the woman’s International side to four successive major finals, something the FA and British Olympic Association (BOA) will now hope can be used to surged the Team GB side to victory.
The first time a female football tournament has been played in the Olympics – the decision came in June after it was confirmed a men’s Olympic football tournament would be staged for the first time since the Rome 1960 Games. The men’s side will be managed by Stuart Pearce, England Under-21s Head Coach and also coach within Fabio Capello’s England senior setup.
Keen to kick start the female tournament on a positive note, Powell said: “”I’m delighted to be in the position to be able to take a team into such an illustrious tournament; I just wish it were starting tomorrow.”
Powell was also in charge when England hosted Euro 2005, and that experience is something she is looking to build on: “The attendances at the games during Euro 2005 were a sign of progress for Women’s football in this country, and it helped provide a platform for what has happened since then.
The FA’s player evaluation and selection process will begin now with the development of a ‘long list’ of potential players, as identified by the Team GB managers, over the coming months. Players on the long list will be asked to confirm their interest and availability to compete for Team GB, if selected, following discussions with their respective professional clubs and Home Associations.
Consistent with requirements set out in the Olympic Charter, the selection criteria will be entirely non-discriminatory, as players from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and other territories which fall under the BOA’s remit as a National Olympic Committee, who meet the approved competitive standard will be eligible for consideration and selection.
As competition draws closer, the long list will be reduced to a short list of players, and an announcement of the two squads will be made in the summer of 2012.
Team GB Chef de Mission Andy Hunt said: “We welcome the FA’s appointment of Hope Powell and Stuart Pearce – two managers who share experience of competing in major competition on home soil, as well as a great passion to proudly represent Team GB in the Olympic Games.
“Today’s announcement marks another important step on the journey towards Team GB’s participation in the men’s and women’s football competitions for the London 2012 Olympic Games. With this announcement the teams are now becoming an exciting reality as the FA now begins its player evaluation and selection process.
“When Hope leads the Team GB women’s football team out for their first match at the London 2012 Olympic Games, she will be making history. Team GB has never before been represented in the Olympic women’s football competition and we are delighted that she will have the opportunity to do so on home soil in front of our passionate fans.”
Erin Healey, Sportsister
The Woman’s Sports Magazine
