The next phase for women’s football is within reach – however, players require assistance to reach it.

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I am not eager to be too aggressive at this early stage of 2024 and my focus is on performing well on the field, but it is crucial to begin the new year on the right foot and address some concerns that myself and other players have about the direction of women’s sports.

At times, the world of football can still surprise me. The release of the 2024 international match calendar was a shock to me, and I was not alone in this feeling. As many of us have experienced, back-to-back summer tournaments will be a reality with the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics in 2021, the Euros in 2022, and the World Cup in 2023. This year, some teams will also have to participate in the Olympics, making it frustrating to see a Fifa window for games in the middle of July.

Some teams will participate in the Olympics, but not all of us. Some were anticipating this summer as a time of freedom – for our physical and mental well-being. However, that is not the case.

Much has been discussed about the strenuous schedules of our matches and the effects on players who do not have suitable conditions for the demands of numerous games. Despite this, we are now facing the reality of playing between 50 to 60 matches, with matches scheduled in every month of the year. The decision-making is concerning, to say the least. I may be told that there were no other options, but I strongly believe that a skilled problem-solver can find a solution to any issue.

I am deeply affected by these concerns because I have personally experienced their effects. While injuries can have various causes, it is important to consider the impact of excessive workloads, inadequate rest and recovery time, and inadequate resources to meet the physical and mental demands placed on players. Neglecting these factors greatly increases the risk to player health.

Throughout my entire career, I have consistently avoided injuries and achieved great success, winning numerous trophies and performing at my highest level. However, in recent times, I have faced the unfortunate challenge of a stress fracture that has affected my body. Despite this setback, many were unaware of the severity of my injury, its cause, and its potential long-term effects. Unfortunately, I have been unfairly labeled as “injury prone.”

We are all at risk of getting injured, but we also have the potential to have a successful year. This is my daily goal and I believe that as a team at Lyon, we have achieved this together and individually over the past few months. The time of injuries is over for me and I am no longer interested in being labeled or limited. There will always be doubts about how long my good performance will last, but I have stopped wasting energy on responding to these doubts and all players should do the same.

We are fully aware of our identity, current location, and past origins. Injuries are a significant aspect of the sport, regardless of our preferences, but they do not define who we are. Female athletes should have access to the necessary skill and support to continue performing well on the field.

Currently, there are numerous factors that contribute to injuries in different environments, making it unfair to solely blame the players or their bodies. Engaging in any sport carries a risk of injury, but our identity is not defined by these injuries. It is defined by our contributions to the pitch and the sport.

Improving the playing environment and surrounding players with more skilled individuals is essential. While there is a lot of emphasis on the importance of research, there is not enough discussion on how the findings are incorporated into the women’s football community to benefit all players. It is crucial to ensure that players remain available if we want to see the women’s game thrive. However, this can be a difficult task. Personally, I had to work hard to recover from a period of injury, seeking out the right expertise and knowledge. I was fortunate to have a supportive network to assist me, but not everyone has access to that.

At a worldwide scale, players require assistance. There should be improved communication between players and governing bodies, as well as between clubs and federations. The current situation of having conflicting methods of operation is not sustainable. While the implementation of a panel of health experts is beneficial, it becomes problematic when players are expected to participate in international matches during the summer. This places unnecessary physical and mental strain on players. The demands placed on players and their bodies are increasing, and although this is something that has been requested, the necessary resources are not yet available to address these demands.

Can it be altered? I am optimistic. We are incredibly fortunate to have careers as professional football players. In my opinion, it is one of the greatest jobs in the world. However, being lucky does not exempt us from using our intelligence. While there will always be larger problems to address in the world, taking care of our own community is a starting point and provides a foundation for us to support larger causes. Football, and other sports, have the potential to serve greater purposes.

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Source: theguardian.com