When it became known that the project was being stopped, several parents started a working group. “We immediately started lobbying the main board. We were told a number of things there. If we could raise an amount of 200,000 euros and prove that this was a sustainable project, we would consider restarting the project,” the working group said.
Super League
“This is no longer a father-daughter project, we consulted our networks and in no time we raised 149,000 euros, mainly through sponsorship.”
The business plan that we were able to view also showed that savings could be made on a number of items. In the end, all this together amounted to a positive balance of 197,000 euros for next season. “There is an important ‘but’ in all of this. Namely that we will remain in the Super League,” says a member of the working group.
Last week the proposal was forwarded to the main board of KV and on Tuesday it was finally discussed with the committee. The club, which does not wish to respond for the time being, indicates that the Super League project will remain on hold until 2030. The sustainability of the project cannot be guaranteed in a climate of increasingly strict licensing conditions.
The focus remains on the first men’s team and the various social commitments of the team. However, youth women’s football will continue, just like the team that just promoted to the first national (second level women’s football).
Jaw slap
The decision came as a hammer blow to the working group. They left the discussions with the main board disappointed. “This feels like a slap in the face for everyone involved in KV women’s football.” “We worked on this proposal for three weeks, we provided all the input that was requested and incorporated it into our business, sporting and policy plans. Ultimately, we feel like we were being strung along.”
The postponement of Super League football until 2030 is particularly disappointing. “Initially it was agreed to take a sabbatical year, but there is nothing left of that. It is a real shame that this decision was taken by the two main shareholders, among others.”
Nevertheless, the working group continues to work. “After all this has sunk in, we have developed a plan B to provide perspective in the short and medium term. We hope to return to the Super League ‘soon’.”
Marie-Paule De Bell. — © GOYVAERTS/GMAX AGENCY
Settlement
Quo vadis with women’s football in Mechelen? “We have already heard that 75% of the ladies from the Super League team are leaving. There are also a number of departures in our team that was just promoted to the first national team,” said Marie-Paule De Bell, architect of the Super League team and chairwoman of KV Mechelen Dames.
“At the time of the liquidation, more than 20 years ago, I had hoped to have a team at the highest level together with the men’s team”
Marie-Paule De Bell
Chairperson KV Mechelen Ladies
“It is of course a shame that this decision was made now: also for our youth players. On the one hand, they cannot grow into a Super League team. On the other hand, we will still play at Elite level next season, but after that we have to play at a regional or provincial level. And in my opinion they are a bit too strong for that.”
“The fact that our Super League team has to be put in the refrigerator until 2030 could mean the end of that story. Still, I am proud that we played at the highest level for two years. At the time of the liquidation, more than 20 years ago, I had hoped to have a team at the highest level together with the men’s team. I have been a Kakker all my life, so it is nice that we have achieved that,” concludes De Bell.
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– 2024-04-04 07:52:33
