Helena Pires, Alexandrina Cruz and Sofia Teles shined at The Academy
Women are increasingly present in leadership positions in Football and, in particular, in Portuguese Football. In this way, the experiences of Helena Pires (Executive Director Coordinator of Liga Portugal), Alexandrina Cruz (President of Rio Ave FC) and Sofia Teles (Director of Competitions at the Porto Football Association) were highly highlighted, in a panel moderated by Raquel Moura Tavares (Senior Associate at PRA).
Helena Pires started the debate, telling us a little about her professional career and the relevance of meritocracy throughout her career. “In 23 years of Liga Portugal, I have never felt any type of differentiation because I am a woman. I grew up in the organization and, if I got to where I am, it was through merit and competence,” she said, in her first intervention at The Academy.
“Perhaps, because I am a woman, we will have to have another type of dedication, but when there is competence and professionalism, doors will naturally open. We already had an Executive Board made up exclusively of women and, therefore, Liga Portugal is a good example of this reality”, she revealed.
Sofia Teles drew attention to the growth of women’s football and the fact that she did not hesitate when it came to embracing positions linked to the world of the king’s sport. “Football has always been a passion that has accompanied me forever, but there were no female references with which I could guide me. When the opportunity to be a manager came up, I decided to take it. Furthermore, I feel that women’s football is changing, it has new visibility with leadership positions, something that helps its evolution. Of course there are always difficulties and we can see the world differently, but everything is still fine”, explained the Competitions Director at AF Porto.
Alexandrina Cruz, in turn, made history by becoming the first woman President of a club in the Liga Portugal Betclic, a feat that does not intimidate her, at the same time that she views the future of Rio Ave FC in the top echelon of Football with optimism. Portuguese.
“I didn’t feel anything different at all. My journey at Rio Ave FC began 19 years ago in the financial area and now as President it is a different experience, because there is a long way to go in different areas at the club. From my own experience, I don’t see any difference between being a man or a woman in the presidency, we can just have different perspectives on certain topics or what is the best path forward for the best interests of the club”, he stressed.
2023-09-08 17:41:19
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