Shek Borkowski Official Website | LTA Agency » FIFA http://shekborkowski.com Wed, 25 Jan 2012 02:50:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 My unsolicited advice to American players wanting to play in Europe http://shekborkowski.com/2010/06/my-unsolicited-advice-to-players/ http://shekborkowski.com/2010/06/my-unsolicited-advice-to-players/#comments Thu, 24 Jun 2010 16:51:15 +0000 publisher http://shekborkowski.com/?p=870 With more and more American female players making Europe their destination I have heard of and have seen some troubling situations when it comes to agreements and understandings. As women’s football in Europe grows, bigger resources are available. Yet, in many countries American players are stereotyped as cheap, eager, naive and willing to take any deal.
I offer this unsolicited advice:

1. Have a FIFA licensed agent represent your interests. Things can and will go wrong. He or she will protect your interest.
2. Don’t trust anyone. Smiles, kind words and pleasant faces are misleading.
3. Even if you trust someone be involved in the process and aware of what is going on at all times.
4. Always get everything in writing.
5. Don’t move a muscle before all the details are explained to your satisfaction, finalized, approved and signed.
6. If you are going to play in a pro league and all is offered to you is room and board, they found a sucker.
7. If the other party tells you that’s all they can do because they don’t have much money, it’s better to move on.
8. Never take their first offer.
9. Don’t just let it go or settle on things. Protect your interests and demand what is contractually yours.
10. Always have a plan B.

]]> http://shekborkowski.com/2010/06/my-unsolicited-advice-to-players/feed/ 2 Bravo FIFA! http://shekborkowski.com/2009/12/bravo-fifa/ http://shekborkowski.com/2009/12/bravo-fifa/#comments Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:22:17 +0000 publisher http://shekborkowski.com/?p=356 womenwc11logoFIFA’s decision to expand the Women’s World Cup from 16 to 24 teams beginning in 2015 is a fantastic news for the women’s game.
Although the 2011 tournament in Germany will stay at 16 teams, FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said that women’s soccer had advanced so much it made sense to add teams. Valcke also said that the value of women’s soccer around the world has grown.
This is good news for all involved.
The Women’s World Cup is FIFA’s best tool for growing the game commercially, numerically and in quality around the world. Developing women’s football countries such as Argentina have and will benefit immensely from participation in major international tournaments. The experience and exposure gained aids development of the game in participating nations. The improvement in Argentina’s play was from 2007 to 2008 was visible to everyone.
Expansion from 16 to 24 will accelerate the already impressive improvements in women’s football.
Great decision by FIFA.

]]> http://shekborkowski.com/2009/12/bravo-fifa/feed/ 0 FIFA demonstrates its ignorance of women’s football http://shekborkowski.com/2009/12/fifa-demonstrates-its-ignorance-and-possible-contempt-for-womens-football/ http://shekborkowski.com/2009/12/fifa-demonstrates-its-ignorance-and-possible-contempt-for-womens-football/#comments Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:22:25 +0000 publisher http://shekborkowski.com/?p=283 Doing little research and demonstrating its ignorance of women’s football, FIFA announced a list of 5 contenders for this year’s FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year award.
The list clearly demonstrates the influence that Marta’s and Cristiane’s agent Fabiano Farah has in the halls of FIFA, and how little national team coaches participating in voting are aware of.
The list includes Cristiane (Brazil), Inka Grings (Germany), Marta (Brazil), Birgit Prinz (Germany), and Kelly Smith (England).
One could put Marta on the list for sentimental reasons or because Marta is an exciting player but the fact that Cristiane had a mediocre season with her club and played no games with Brazil speaks for itself. Prinz won the Euros but was at best average domestically. Kelly Smith is one of the greatest women’s players ever, but time and injuries have diminished her influence on the game. She still was one of England’s key players during their successful Euro run but her club form was hampered by injuries.
So the Euro champion and top scorer, and the UEFA Champions League winner Inka Grings should win the award but what about other players who should have been on the list if FIFA did their due diligence?

Genoveva Anonman

Genoveva Anonman

Three players come to mind right away.
Christie Rampone is the Franco Baresi of women’s football. She led her club to WPS title and anyone doubting her experience, leadership and her importance to her national team and her club is not following the game.
Linda Bresonik. Everyone who knows me knows that I am a big fan of Bresonik. For me she is a complete player who can play in any position and and is a winner everywhere she goes. Like Grings, Bresonik is another Euro and the UEFA Women’s Champions League winner.
Genoveva Anonman, the Equatorial Guinea captain, who in 2008 single-handed won the African title for her country, saved FF USV Jena from relegation and very simply is the best African player at the moment.

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