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The Spirit Of Women's Soccer By Robert Pledge For the last 25 years Contact Press has presented journalistic and documentary photography of the major events, trends and issues which have shaped our world. In this tradition, the agency embarked on a worldwide project to examine women's soccer -- the fastest growing female team sport on all the world continents. The social, cultural and economic results of this growth will be significant and contribute to modifying the fabric of many societies. It will influence all individuals involved in the game, psychologically and behaviorally, in family, community and personal relationships. Men's soccer is already close to a century old tradition. Women's soccer is new to most nations and its certain growth will establish new perceptions and values within and outside the female world. It will be a tremendous new market for many enterprises. Contact's photographers have been involved in a two year project which they hope to present as an exhibition and a catologue or soft-cover book at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. "There was a team here on the Zulu reservation, called Marienhill. I started to play with them very young. My mother was making a lot of sacrifices in order for me to train and play soccer. I owe her a lot." - Veronica Phewe, 17, Kwazulu, Natal, South Africa, January 1998. "The National Team preparing for an international tournament in Guangzhou, China, February 1998 "I hope that one day I become famous, that the kids in the township see me as an example. If I get rich I'm gonna help the community where I grew up." - Thembisa, 23 The Army Team keeper training with her coach in Guangzhou, China, February 1998 A seven-year-old girl in the "little league" of Arlington, Virginia performing hard, April 1998. Player calling for the ball during George Mason University vs. George Washington University match at College Park, Maryland, USA, April 1998. "I started to play soccer at the age of 7 in the street for a boys' team then. My mother was mad that I played a boy-sport instead of taking care of the house moreÉbut now she is very proud of me!" - Sphiwe Thabethe, 21, from Kanyamazane Township, Southern Transvaal, South Africa, January 1998. Player stretching to score in the city stadium of Guangzhou, China, February, 1998 Six additional pages of photos can be seen in the Women's Soccer World May/June 1999 Special Edition.