Hello again you active blog reader! This is Sari again writing to you about a female football team called Pellegrino Five – A – Side Female. I did the interview on a bus on our way home from a match. I have also played football with this team and I think the players are very good compared to me. But without further ado here is the interview.
What do you like most in training football?
“We like to run and exercise. We also like to play in the final tournament.”
For who is the organization ment for, who can play football in the organization?
“Everybody who is over 15 years old women can play in the organization. At the beginning we had a selection for women. But anyway, anyone who wants to play can play.”
Do you like to play in tournaments?
“Competition is fun. It is exciting to confront the other team and see how they play. It is interesting to see what is their technique. When you play in tournaments you will also get feedback of how you play and you see in what level you are playing in the moment.”
How important is the competition for you?
“Competition is important, it is stimulating.”
How do you prepare for the tournament?
“Beginning of the season there are a 20 days of an intensive training period. After the 20 days we will train two times a week and we play one match a week.”
Are you nervous before the match?
“Yes, before the match we are very nervous and tense.”
Do you have some rituals before the match?
“We have a cheer that is suppose to make us feel brave and confident. Also our player Rosa wears the certain type of underwear and socks.”
How long have you played together?
“A long time, three years.”
What is your age?
“From 14 to 39.”
Do you do any other sports?
“No not right now, but before playing football we did.”
Is there any female teams playing football professionaly in Italy?
“In Puglia no, in Italy yes, but we are not sure if they earn any money of playing.”
Why do you play football?
“To stay fit. We get to meet people and make friends. We support each other in the team and the playing releases stress. Football is a very social game.”
Is the training place good or would you like some better premises?
“The parquet is rotten, it is anyway better to play in grass. It is good to play inside, although the premises are not in prime conditions. During the winter it is very cold to play outside.”
What are the background methods that you use in training?
“B-series training methods, running, stretching, we play with the ball and without the ball. But all the training methods are very user friendly methods.”
Is there anything that you would like to change off the training?
“The players should only listen the coach and not pay too much attention to the other players. The president of the club should be more present, that way the players would respect him more.”
What things are different compared to the men football?
“The men are more competitive, girls and women just want to have fun.”
Is the female football known in your city?
“Yes it is, but more publicity is needed, because when we get more publicity we also get more new young players.”
How can you get publicity for the female team and general for the female sport activities?
“Radio and tv would be the best way to get publicity, but for now only the men teams get time on air in radio and tv.”
What are the positive things of playing in a team instead of doing individual sports?
“Playing in a team is very social, you make new friends very easily. You give and get respect. In a team you have to be on the same level. It is like rowing a boat, you all have to have the same goal and you get there by rowing in the same rhythm. You need to get your own space but at the same time you have to give space for your team mates.”
That’s all folks!
With regards
Sari
