On 1 January 2008, Steffi Jones, a FIFA Women's World Cup winner in 2003 and three-time European champion, took over the Presidency of the FIFA Women's World Cup Germany 2011™ Organising Committee.

The former defensive lynchpin of the national team is as well liked as she is respected on the German sporting scene, not least due to her impressive trophy collection and her strong commitment to social causes.

"We were delighted to have a recognised and successful former international like Steffi Jones on board as President of the 2011 OC," said DFB President Dr Theo Zwanziger.

The OC President has already drawn comparisons with Franz Beckenbauer, who performed the role for the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™. Jones is a committed campaigner for women's football, either as a representative of the city of Frankfurt or as an expert commentator when international matches are shown on ZDF.

"Her commitment to the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 will no doubt enable her to increase the standing of women's football both nationally and internationally,” continued Dr Zwanziger. “She is closely involved at grassroots level and that will help us to take positive steps in our efforts to further develop girls' football. She has a pleasant and down-to-earth manner and will no doubt be the ideal spokesperson for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011."

The daughter of a German mother and an American soldier, she received the Order of Merit of the region of Hessen in 2006 for her long-term volunteer work. This after having campaigned for social integration and tolerance throughout Germany, most notably as patron of the "ballance 2006" initiative.

 However, Steffi’s journey to the top was by no means easy. She grew up without her father in the very underprivileged Frankfurt neighbourhood of Bonames. During her early years at school, she was picked on because of the colour of her skin and her elder brother Christian fell into delinquency and drug-addiction.

In November 2006, her family was rocked by the news that her younger brother Franky, aged 22 at the time, had lost both of his legs in a bomb attack during active service for the US armed forces in Iraq.

Throughout it all, Steffi invested her energy and passion into her football. For her, the game was very much the stuff that dreams were made of – incredibly ambitious dreams that would later become true.

"In terms of the incredible development of women's football and the enormous opportunities that organising the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 on home soil will bring, I am delighted to take on the challenge of being OC President and everything that goes with it," said Steffi. She is convinced that "with the enthusiasm that has carried over from the 2003 and 2007 World Cup wins and the experience gained from the 2006 men's World Cup, 'welcome back' to Germany will be a real highlight with global repercussions for women's and girls' football".

CV

Name: Steffi Jones

Date of birth: 22 December 1972

Place of birth: Frankfurt am Main

Nationality: German

Position: OC President (since 1 January 2008)

Social commitment:

  • Order of Merit for the Hessen region
  • Patron of the "ballance 2006" campaign
  • Patron of the Sepp Herberger Foundation "Kick-off for a new life" initiative

Profession: Businesswoman and football coach 

Hobbies: Mountain biking, billiards, music

Football career

International appearances: 111 (9 goals)

First cap: 03.07.1993

Last cap: 14.03.2007

Clubs: SV Bonames (1976-1986), SG Praunheim girls (1986-1988), SG Praunheim women (1988-1991), FSV Frankfurt (1991-1992), SG Praunheim (1992-1993), TuS Niederkirchen (1993-1994), SG Praunheim (1994-1995), FSV Frankfurt (1995-1996), SC 07 Bad Neuenahr (1998-2000), 1. FFC Frankfurt (2000), Washington Freedom (2002-2003), 1. FFC Frankfurt (2004-2007)

Honours:

National team:

  • FIFA World Cup winner 2003
  • Olympic bronze 2000, 2004
  • UEFA European Championship winner 1997, 2001, 2005

Club:

1. FFC Frankfurt:

  • German Bundesliga 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007
  • German Cup 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007
  • UEFA Cup 2002, 2006

Washington Freedom:

  • Founders Cup 2003