October 27 – The women’s professional game continues to evolve at all levels, and nowhere is that progress clearer than in how it now looks after its players. This week, U.S. women’s national team head coach Emma Hayes revealed that U.S. Soccer is developing a “pre- and post-pregnancy protocol” for players. A policy that would’ve been unheard of a decade ago.
The announcement arrived on the same day that Seattle Reign forward, Lynn Biyendolo (née Williams) and her husband announced they’re expecting their first child. Biyendolo (pictured) joins a growing list of USWNT players finding the balance between motherhood and elite football.
Hayes called Biyendolo “an old soul who will be an incredible mom”, before turning her attention to the bigger picture.
“The project will center on how to combine the right things in the right ways,” she said, “and the right specialisms around so that players feel supported; that through their journey of having a baby they feel like they’re doing the right things, but also get back in the safest way possible, depending if it’s a natural pregnancy or a C-section.”
She added, “I know [Biyendolo] will be supported like all of our players in their pregnancy.”
With FIFA introducing new maternity protections last year and U.S. Soccer following suit, the old mindset of pregnancy being a career killer is fading fast. Clubs and federations are finally realising that supporting women through motherhood isn’t a favour but should be the standard for a modern, professional game, where women are increasingly becoming global superstars.
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