Keystone-SDA
The canton of Bern launched an unprecedented project: twelve mobile synthetic football fields were entrusted to ten municipalities, including Valbirse and Saint-Imier in the Bernese Jura, to meet the growing demand in training areas. But beyond their sports utility, these infrastructures aim above all to encourage the practice of football among young girls.
(Keystone-ATS) The first land was inaugurated Thursday in Berne-Bethlehem by the State Councilor Philippe Müller (PLR), who underlined the symbolic significance of the project: “These new football fields are more than simple training areas. They are a symbol of progress, equal opportunities and the desire to perpetuate the craze for women’s football, “he said in a statement.
Designed to be deployed in any season -on handball fields in winter or rinks in summer -, these rolled synthetic grass lands measure 44 meters, much smaller than a classic football field. Their mobile format allows great flexibility, with an estimated lifespan at more than 15 years.
The total investment of the canton amounts to 850,000 francs, including 700,000 funded directly by the Bernese state and 150,000 from the sports fund. Each land costs around 70,000 francs and is loaned for free to the municipalities, who provide maintenance, assembly and storage.
The ten selected municipalities-Berne, Valborse, Saint-Imier, Heiligenschwendi, Huttwil, Jegenstorf, Köniz, Lyss, Kaufdorf and Schwanden Bei Brienz-were chosen for their ability to welcome and maintain these infrastructures. Bern and Köniz will each receive two land. The entire system will be delivered by the end of October.
In Bern, a politician and several female football figures participated in the inauguration, notably the Bernese municipal councilor Ursina Anderegg (Greens), Franziska Schild, General Manager of the Women’s Team of Young Boys, as well as the players Géraldine Hess and Maria Jimenez. The latter offered some advice to children who came to test the land.
This project is part of the dynamics driven by the female euro, which has strengthened the interest in the round ball throughout Switzerland. With these new infrastructure, the canton of Bern hopes to consolidate this craze and create concrete opportunities for the female football over.
