As Arminia Bielefeld celebrates 50 years of women’s football, the milestone is a reminder of the power of long-term investment, vision, and belief in the women’s game. For South Africa, it also offers an inspiring example of how clubs can grow women’s football from the grassroots level.
Speaking in an interview, CEO Christoph Wortmann reflected on the club’s 50-year journey. “Women’s football started here 50 years ago,” he said. “That shows how deeply rooted this department is. Even back then, the club wanted to show that we stand for diversity and equal chances.”
The vision was ahead of its time. At a period when equality in sport was almost non-existent, Arminia Bielefeld made a deliberate decision to invest in women’s football. Today, that vision continues to guide the club.
Visibility, Sponsorship, and Progress
While attendance numbers still differ between men’s and women’s teams — with around 21,000 fans attending men’s matches compared to lesser numbers for the women — the progress lies in visibility and support.
“Women’s teams now have a voice. People can watch our games, and sponsors are involved,” Wortmann explained. The club has a global company as its main sponsor with the focus on the women’s team only, a partner that invests directly in women’s football, showing that commercial belief follows consistent commitment.
Development Before Big Signings
According to the club CEO, Arminia Bielefeld is focused on development rather than immediate international recruitment, even though that’s a possibility in the future. “The target is that in the next one and a half years, we want to see the women’s team playing in the second division,” Wortmann said. “We have very young, talented players.”
Regarding South African players, Wortmann is candid: the club isn’t yet ready to sign international players because the women’s team is not in the first division. “Why would a player come to a third-division club in Germany? We still need to invest more in professional structures,” he explained.
Even without immediate plans to sign players, Arminia Bielefeld has been actively developing South African football for years. Through coaching clinics, youth development programmes, and partnerships with local academies like Bolobathaba United FC, the club is demonstrating a genuine commitment to nurturing talent at the grassroots level.
“This work is sustainable, and it’s important for us,” Wortmann said. “We’re building relationships and helping young players develop skills — even before they think about Europe.”
A Message to Young South African Girls
For girls dreaming of a career in football, Wortmann’s advice is simple: “They must work hard, improve their skills, and have self-belief. These skills are important for girls and boys alike.”
Lessons from 50 Years
Arminia Bielefeld’s 50-year journey shows that women’s football success is built on long-term planning, structure, and patience. For South Africa, the message is clear: by investing consistently in the foundations of women’s football, clubs can create opportunities for the next generation — even before professional contracts or international signings come into play.
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