Clubs backing Dutch league

The Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB) has announced that the introduction of a women's Eredivisie is imminent now that nine professional clubs have offered to participate.

Eredivisie representatives
The Eredivisie will commence next season with the likes of ADO Den Haag, AZ Alkmaar, Cambuur Leeuwarden, SC Heerenveen, Roda JC, TOP Oss, FC Twente, FC Utrecht and Willem II all gearing up for the competition. The definitive format of the league is expected to be announced later this month.

Future professionalism
The new league will have a professional look but professional status for the players will not happen immediately - although it is a future intention depending on interest from sponsors and television. Currently, the highest division in women's Football in the Netherlands is the Hoofdklasse which contains 12 amateur sides. It is envisaged that the professional clubs in the new league will organise selection matches with the aim of drafting women who already play at a high level.

Increasing interest
The KNVB was delighted with the enthusiastic reaction from the nine clubs and Dutch women's national team coach Vera Pauw, who led her team to some impressive results in FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying, said: "We noticed during the meetings that the interest in a women's Eredivisie has increased. We think it's fantastic that it now seems it will really happen."