Eredivisie (women)

Starting in 2007, the Eredivisie is the first professional football league for women in the Netherlands.^[1][2] Unlike its male equivalent, the Eredivisie for women is smaller currently featuring only eight teams.

The champion qualifies for a spot in the UEFA Women's Champions League.

Format

For its first three seasons, the Eredivisie consisted of six teams playing each other four times a season, twice at home and twice away. The format was changed to a triple round-robin format for the 2010/11 season, when the league was increased to eight teams.

There currently is no relegation from the Eredivisie, although a relegation/promotion system is planned in the long run.^[3] The formerly first league Hoofdklasse basically is the highest amateur women's league.

Opening ceremony

The opening ceremony of the soccer eredivisie for women took place in the Arke Stadion in Enschede at 29 August 2007, with the presentation of the 6 teams. The opening match was played by SC Heerenveen and FC Twente. SC Heerenveen won the match with 3 against 2.^[4][5]

2011–12 Teams

Champions

Topscorers

Golden shoe

Since 2007 every year the Golden shoe (Dutch: Gouden schoen) is awarded to the best player of the Women Eredivisie. The "Vrouw & Voetbal" magazin started this competition in 2007. The winner receives a golden shoe award. In the season 2009/10 the organisation and election was taken over by "Vrouwenoetbal Nederland" They added an award fot the best Keeper and in the season 2010/11 an award for the best talented player was added. ^[12][13]

References

1. ^ "Zes eredivisieclubs starten met vrouwen". Leeuwarder Courant. 20 March 2007. http://www.archiefleeuwardercourant.nl/site/article.do?code=LC&date=20070320&id=LC-20070320-ST01010004. Retrieved 14 December 2009. 
2. ^ "Vrouwen beginnen met zes clubs". NOS. 20 March 2007. http://nos.nl/artikel/107053-vrouwen-beginnen-met-zes-clubs.html. Retrieved 27 October 2010. 
3. ^ eredivisievrouwenvoetbal.nl; about us
4. ^ "Vrouwen verliezen openingsduel". www.fctwente.nl. 29 August 2007. http://www.fctwente.nl/nieuws/archief/index.php?item=6509. Retrieved 14 December 2009. 
5. ^ "Vrouwen SC Heerenveen eerste koploper in eredivisie". Leeuwarder Courant. 30 August 2007. http://www.archiefleeuwardercourant.nl/site/article.do?code=LC&date=20070830&id=LC-20070830-NO01010016. Retrieved 14 December 2009. 
6. ^ "Voetbal - AZ kampioen Eredivisie vrouwen". regiosportplaza.nl. 21 May 2008. http://www.regiosportplaza.nl/nieuws.php?nieuws_id=9574. Retrieved 27 October 2010. 
7. ^ "Willem II-vrouwen geen kampioen". Brabantsdagblad. 28 May 2009. http://www.brabantsdagblad.nl/sport/amateurvoetbal_vrere/5038532/Willem-IIvrouwen-geen-kampioen.ece. Retrieved 27 October 2010. 
8. ^ "Vrouwen AZ kampioen na ruime zege". NOS. 12 May 2010. http://nos.nl/artikel/157012-vrouwen-az-kampioen-na-ruime-zege.html. Retrieved 27 October 2010. 
9. ^ "AZ drievoudig LANDSKAMPIOEN". vrouwenvoetbalnederland.nl. 12 May 2010. http://www.vrouwenvoetbalnederland.nl/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5561&Itemid=2. Retrieved 27 October 2010. 
10. ^ "Voetbalsters FC Twente kampioen". Volkskrant. 12 May 2011. http://www.volkskrant.nl/vk/nl/2698/Sport/article/detail/2427974/2011/05/12/Voetbalsters-FC-Twente-kampioen.dhtml. Retrieved 13 May 2011. 
11. ^ "Dames FC Twente in stijl naar titel". RTV Oost. 12 May 2011. http://www.rtvoost.nl/sport/default.aspx?nid=125373. Retrieved 13 May 2011. 
12. ^ http://www.vrouwenvoetbalnederland.nl/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4802&Itemid=1 Eredivisie Speelster van het Jaar 2009-2010
13. ^ http://www.vrouwenvoetbalnederland.nl/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6797&Itemid=1 Awards Season 2010-2011

External links

• Official site, Eredivisie women (Dutch)
• women.soccerway.com (English), standings, results & fixtures
• League at UEFA