Strategies of Adaptation: Post-Socialist Transformations of Romanian Women’s Football in the 1990s
A summary of the research:
This research paper examines how women's football in Romania changed significantly during the 1990s, after the collapse of socialism and the sudden shift to a capitalist economy. This change led to the government removing its support for sports, which created huge problems for women's football, even though it gained official recognition in 1990 and had thousands of registered players by 1994. The study uses interviews with former players and coaches, personal collections of photos and videos, and old newspaper articles to understand how these athletes managed to continue playing when their sport was largely neglected. It focuses on how football became a central part of their identity and a way for them to make a living, even as many traditional jobs disappeared.
The study found that despite formal recognition, women's football faced severe challenges, including the disbandment of factory teams, a sharp drop in player numbers, and minimal financial support or media coverage. In this difficult environment, women players developed various "strategies of adaptation" to keep their careers going. These included finding unofficial ways to get paid, using their social connections, and overcoming limited resources. Even though the sport was seen as a male domain and faced persistent stereotypes, these women created a strong sense of community and used football as a way to assert their independence and redefine traditional gender roles during a time of major societal change.
Here are three practical and actionable takeaways from the article's results for coaches and administrators in women's soccer:
Cultivate Strong Local Community Ties and Visibility: The article emphasizes that despite national media largely ignoring women's football, local communities strongly supported their teams and viewed players as "heroines and symbols of their communities". For coaches and administrators, this means actively engaging with their local communities: promoting games through local media, encouraging attendance by showcasing players as local role models, and organizing community events. Building this grassroots support can provide stability and motivation, even when broader institutional or national support is lacking.
Prioritize Player Welfare and Safeguards Against Exploitation: The players faced harsh conditions, including abusive coaching behaviors, inadequate equipment, and precarious financial arrangements. Coaches and administrators must establish clear policies and practices to protect players' physical and mental well-being. This includes advocating for fair contracts, ensuring access to proper equipment, providing safe training environments, and establishing channels for players to report misconduct without fear of reprisal. Learning from past struggles, creating a supportive and professional structure can enhance player retention and performance, even with limited resources.
Foster Internal Team Solidarity and Resource Sharing: With state support dwindling and teams frequently disbanding, players relied heavily on "resource-sharing culture" and "mutual assistance and emotional support" to continue playing and overcome obstacles. This highlights the importance of building strong team bonds and a supportive culture. Coaches should encourage collective problem-solving, facilitate peer support, and celebrate shared experiences, both on and off the field. This internal solidarity can become a crucial "affective infrastructure", helping teams navigate financial instability, travel challenges, and other adversities, turning shared struggles into a source of strength and resilience.
Author: Ileana Gabriela Szasz
You can read the entire article here.
