The Women's Super League (WSL) has announced new measures aimed at improving awareness and providing support in “various areas of female athlete health” for WSL clubs and the Women's Championship.
The two main women's football leagues in England have been working with athlete support experts, The Well HQ, since 2020 to better support their players. The collaboration between the two saw the publication of 'The State of Play Project' report, which was based on information from extensive surveys and interviews carried out with players and club staff.
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The report led to the creation of FootballHER: CPD [Continuing Professional Development] For All, an online course for WSL and Women's Championship club staff launched in October 2023.
The course provides a “holistic approach to women's health”, with modules on the menstrual cycle and performance, pelvic health and fertility, among others.
Each club will now also be asked to nominate an existing member of support staff to be appointed Female Athlete Health Leader (FAHL) to establish “leadership and accountability” for women's health. in the clubs.
All 24 FAHLs will receive training and support from The Well HQ, including a course in spring 2024 that will provide in-depth sessions on various FootballHER-related topics.
Clubs, along with the England women's team, will also receive best practice guidance on pregnancy and postnatal care, menstrual cycle health and pelvic health throughout 2024.
“Women's professional football in England will be the first to have a football-specific CPD for coaches and performance support staff, and to require a female athlete health lead at every club,” said Dr Emma Ross, chief scientific officer at The Well HQ, in a statement.
England coach Sarina Wiegman also praised the initiative at a press conference on Monday.
“I think we're very happy to see that. It's really good and also very necessary,” he said.
“There needs to be more research and support as well and this is another step in the right direction. It's really good, we need to get on with it and do research which will take time to make it the best for women in sport.”
“We need to do what's best for them.”
