July 13 – Former England international Karen Carney has called for the Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship – the two top divisions of the domestic game – to become fully professional in order to bring about the necessary investment.
Carney (pictured), who led a major independent review of women’s game in England, commissioned by the UK government in September following England’s triumph at the European Championship, also wants a dedicated broadcast slot.
“It is clear that domestic women’s football has reached a defining moment,” said the former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder after the review laid out 10 recommendations.
“The women’s game in this country can become a world-leading sport that not only generates immense economic and social value but sets the standards for women’s professional sport globally.
“These recommendations must be a blueprint for how this can be achieved and must be acted upon with urgency. In 10 years’ time I really do believe this sport could be a billion-pound industry.”
Carney said women’s football must also address a “lack of diversity” on-and-off the pitch.
“It’s about minimum standards, it’s about what needs to be done if we’re going to move this sport forward. I’m really proud of the review sparking conversations and bringing more people to the table. I’ve never seen that level of interest before and I’ve been involved in the game long enough. But these recommendations have to be taken seriously, they have to be acted upon and they have to be acted upon with urgency. We’ve had such an amazing 18 months, but we need to keep it pushing.”
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