Women's football has emerged as a force in recent years, taking centre stage in sporting news since the 2019 World Cup. This growth reflects a long road towards gender equality in a sport traditionally dominated by men. In Spain, this journey began in 1914 with the Spanish Girl's Club, the country's first women's team, challenging the social norms of the time.
In a society where women's sport was marginalised, figures such as Paco Brú, a former player and coach, defied expectations by forming the first women's team. Despite initial resistance, the club managed to organise a charity match to raise funds against tuberculosis.
The event was a historic milestone, challenging entrenched gender stereotypes. However, the press at the time focused more on superficial aspects such as the players' appearance rather than their footballing skills, reflecting gender bias.
Despite the cancellation of the tour due to the outbreak of World War I, the Spanish Girl's Club laid the groundwork for the advancement of women's football in Spain. Although the Civil War and the Franco era suppressed women's sport, figures such as Conchi "Amancio", Spain's first professional female football player, and clubs such as Valencia, Levante and Atlético continued to promote women's football in the 1930s.
This legacy continues today, with women's football gaining ground and establishing a permanent place in the history of Spanish sport.
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