Celebrating women in Croatian football on International Women’s Day

(Photo: HNS)

The Croatian Football Federation marked International Women’s Day with a campaign aimed at showcasing football as a welcoming work environment with plenty of room for women, as well as potential for their careers to flourish in various roles.

The goal of the campaign “Women’s Place is in Football” is to challenge stereotypes and prejudices with concrete examples of powerful women who have succeeded in football, in entirely different capacities.

The campaign ambassadors are four women who have achieved international success in various roles – Doris Bačić (goalkeeper of the women’s A national team), Iva Olivari (team manager of the men’s A national team), Ivana Martinčić (international referee), and Dr. Tihana Nemčić Bojić (coach of the Croatian futsal national team). Doris, Iva, Tihana, and Ivana share common prejudices about women in football during the International Women’s Day campaign, effortlessly debunking such stereotypes with their life stories and achievements.

Iva Olivari is one of only two women on the bench of a men’s A national football team in Europe, also the only official who has been a delegate at the finals of the Women’s European Championships, Finalissima, and the women’s Champions League.

Doris Bačić is the goalkeeper and captain of the Croatian women’s football team. She has played for clubs like Arsenal, Juventus, Sporting, Anderlecht, and Napoli, celebrating the Italian title with Juventus in front of 40,000 fans.

“The ball doesn’t differentiate between genders, and with this campaign, we’ve decided to show that women can dominate in the world of football too. Our victory will be if we inspire any girl to engage in football and erase prejudices. Women’s football is breaking records worldwide, and Croatia has a very bright future,” said Doris Bačić.

Doris Bacic (Photo: HNS)

Meanwhile, Ivana Martinčić is the first referee in a SuperSport Croatian football league match and has officiated in a match of the German men’s national football team. She has officiated at the Women’s World Cup and European Championship and in the semifinals of the women’s Champions League.

Ivana Martinčić (Photo: HNS)

Tihana Nemčić Bojić is the coach of the Croatian women’s futsal team and before her coaching career, she had an impressive playing career and was a Croatian representative in both indoor and outdoor football. She is the first female coach to lead a senior men’s team in Croatia. In addition, she earned her doctorate at the Faculty of Kinesiology where she teaches as a senior assistant in the subject of Football Analysis.

Tihana Nemčić Bojić (Photo: HNS)

The importance of raising awareness about the success of women in football was also confirmed by the president of the Croatian Football Federation, Marijan Kustić.

“I am proud that there are more women employed in the Croatian Football Federation than men, which indicates that the message of this campaign is well received – there is absolutely a place for women in football. Our four ambassadors are the best example of how women can achieve remarkable careers in football, and I would like to thank Doris, Iva, Tihana, and Ivana for participating in the campaign. To all young girls, I say you are welcome to the Croatian football family, as players, coaches, referees, staff, and officials, and I take this opportunity to wish all women a happy International Women’s Day,” said Kustić.

Iva Olivari (Photo: HNS)

The campaign videos were directed by the young and talented director Judita Gamulin, and the campaign’s message has universal significance for all women – whatever you do, believe in yourself, not in what others tell you. Happy International Women’s Day.