Azerion Women's Eredivisie dedicated to International Women’s Day

In collaboration with ESPN, extensive attention will be given to this initiative. ESPN is a key partner in the growth of professional women’s football. As of this season, all matches in the Azerion Women's Eredivisie are broadcast live, with highlights widely shared across the network’s various social media channels.

In the ESPN programme Goedemorgen Eredivisie, presenter Fresia Cousiño Arias will explore the ‘spark’ that drives the current generation of girls towards an equal position, both on and off the pitch. Former international and current AZ Women’s technical manager Stefanie van der Gragt will be a guest on the show.

As the top women’s football league in the Netherlands, the Azerion Women's Eredivisie helps young girls believe in their future opportunities. Every Eredivisie player once experienced a spark — a moment, an event, or a person that inspired them to chase their dreams. Now, they themselves are that ‘spark’, motivating and supporting new generations of young girls.

This social support — empowering others — is crucial in the journey towards equality. Within the Azerion Women's Eredivisie, they call this form of empowerment Spark the Game: the moment when a spark of inspiration is ignited, often through an event or a role model, encouraging someone to follow their dreams.

In the lead-up to International Women’s Day, the Azerion Women's Eredivisie, in partnership with ING, also hosted a Captains’ Dinner at the Rijksmuseum. All captains from the Women’s Eredivisie clubs were in attendance, alongside captains and industry from the corporate world. The evening featured a dinner as well as an insightful programme with various speakers, including an inspiring presentation by referee Shona Shukrula and assistant referee Franca Overtoom, who shared their experiences as trailblazing women in men’s football.