Women’s football doesn’t need to become men’s football to succeed

Women’s football is attracting more investment, interest, sales and television coverage, but support for player welfare and opportunities outside the top tier are not growing as quickly. Stephanie McCaffrey argues that success should mean more than higher salaries: players can help shape the game by building businesses, investing in clubs and taking decision-making roles.

Many players outside the Women’s Super League cannot yet rely on football as a full-time career and often need sponsorship or other work. McCaffrey points to players who have become content creators and to Actonians player Lois Colley, who has started an events coffee bar business. Drawing on her own experience in business, finance and football investment, she says women’s football can build an ecosystem suited to its players rather than copying the men’s game.