Nota de Prensa
MIÉ 22.02.2023
Visa, one of the world's leading digital payments companies, has announced the launch of the second edition of The Second Half in Spain, a scheme launched for the first time with Liga F. This initiative, created by Visa, is a professional development programme that aims to help female players and ex-players in their professional careers once they retire from football. Following the success of the first edition which was launched in Spain in September 2021, and saw more than 20 players and ex-players from 10 top division clubs register, this time Visa is back, together with Liga F, following its formation as a professional women's league in Spain.
Through The Second Half, Visa and Liga F will help players to apply the skills and knowledge acquired during their time as active footballers on the pitch to other professional areas. This support will be provided through training, in collaboration with LaLiga's Education Department - LaLiga Business School - in areas such as financial education, career planning, personal branding, communication skills and leadership, among others.
Bea Larregle, Regional Managing Director for Visa Southern Europe, has noted: “Once again, we want to use sport as a platform to promote equality and empower women. We at Visa are therefore delighted to be able to continue to offer players the access and tools they need to complete their professional transition once they hang up their boots. We are also delighted to be able to launch the second edition of The Second Half together with Liga F, which is leading the way in the professionalisation of women's football in Spain.”
Beatriz Álvarez Mesa, President of Liga F, also stressed that: “We believe in sport as a formative and transformative force in society and we consider the care and integral development of our players a priority. Together with Visa and LaLiga Business School we have the opportunity to offer them advice and training so that when they decide to end their playing career, they can continue with their working life. I am absolutely convinced that in football and sport, players acquire skills and abilities such as teamwork, leadership, communication and emotional control that can have a positive impact on their personal and professional lives once they leave the sport. We are delighted with this initiative and will continue to work on such projects.”
According to José Moya, Director of LaLiga Business School, “LaLiga, through its Education Department, is 100% committed to learning, and this academic year is another example of this. Our goal is to share our management expertise with professional Liga F players in order to help them with their personal and professional growth.”
As the second country, after the UK, to launch this programme, The Second Half cements a key moment for women's football in Spain at a national level, with greater professionalisation, visibility both in the media and among the general public, as well as greater backing from brands such as Visa.
Sport as a platform to promote equality
This project is part of Visa's broad commitment to promoting equality, acceptance and inclusion in all aspects of society, where sport plays a very important role as a tool to empower women in both personal and professional environments. For example, according to Visa's "Women thriving on and off the field of play"i report, 61% of female executives who play team sports say it has had a positive impact on their business.
The company's commitment to equality is reflected, amongst other ways, through its sponsorship of women's sport, where Visa is a proud global partner of the FIFA Women's World Cup™. In addition, it also has the Team Visa programme, founded in 2000, which aims to provide athletes with the tools, resources and support they need to thrive in their sporting careers, regardless of their origin or background.
© LALIGA - 2023