The acknowledgement and backing of the review for women’s football has been significant – let’s now strive for a positive influence. | Karen Carney

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What an eventful week it has been for women’s soccer, with the news that the government has supported the review I led and the approval of NewCo to oversee the Super League and Championship. This is a great step forward, but there is still much to be accomplished.

The women’s soccer analysis is credited to me, which holds significant value. It required immense effort from a highly skilled team who are dedicated to advancing the sport, and for that, I am grateful to them.

I experienced a sense of immense relief upon learning that the government was backing all of the recommendations. The time between the review’s release in the summer and receiving official endorsement was anxiety-inducing, as it entailed a significant amount of effort from numerous individuals.

After the report was published, I felt disappointed and uncertain about the outcome. This was my first time conducting a government review, so I wasn’t sure how it would turn out. However, in the following four weeks, there were some encouraging discussions. I had the opportunity to meet with government officials who informed me that they had approved the report. I was pleasantly surprised by this news and even joked that perhaps I should have requested more during the review.

The realization didn’t sink in until it was made public on Monday. I began to feel emotional as I thought about the hard work the team had put in, the countless individuals who had shared their stories and experiences, and the hours and data that were invested. I hope it was all worth it when they found out it was being supported. We will persist in pushing the sport to reach its highest potential.

My wish is that this evaluation does not remain unused like previous ones. I continuously urged the team to make it as significant as possible, as a tribute to the past and present players, future generations, staff, and fans.

We consulted with the top performers in their respective fields. It was a lengthy process to develop. Following the Women’s European Championship in 2022, I initiated discussions with government officials and it was a lengthy process to gather data and obtain oral testimony to inform our suggestions. Our goal is to elevate the sport to its highest potential and not only set an example for football, but for women’s sports as a whole. We hope other sports can adopt some of our ideas as a model.

The approval of NewCo by clubs is a positive progression and aligns with my suggestions. It will oversee the top two levels of women’s soccer, under the leadership of Nikki Doucet, an exceptional individual who will undoubtedly excel in her role as chief executive. I am eager to witness the impact that Doucet and her team will have on the organization, ultimately strengthening the sport. Doucet has taken on a demanding position and it is crucial that we rally behind and aid her in any way possible. I have full confidence in her success, which will ultimately benefit the sport.

There has been a lot of talk about potentially ending the 3pm blackout on Saturdays for women’s football. The Premier League rights and the number of games available to watch have also been a hot topic this week. As part of the review, it was proposed that a designated time slot be created for women’s football, given the extensive coverage of the men’s game. However, for this to be implemented, all parties involved must come together and have a mature discussion.

Repeatedly, we have observed that promoting matches effectively leads to increased attendance when people are aware of the date and location. Finding a distinctive platform for broadcasting has proven challenging. It is necessary for the benefit of fans and to improve the television aspect of the industry. This recommendation has the potential to steer the sport in a favorable direction.

Taking charge of the evaluation has contributed to my personal growth and development. When I initially expressed my belief that women’s football would become a billion-dollar industry, I faced ridicule and harsh criticism. However, recent developments have put us in a favorable position to turn that vision into a tangible achievement. This accomplishment has been made possible by the efforts of numerous individuals and their dedicated work, and while it is thrilling, there is still much work to be done.

The report has been well-received, but both our team and the industry as a whole must continue to strive. Football is a community and we all want it to thrive. Those who have read the report and understand the challenges of transportation and access to facilities must continue to advocate for the implementation of its recommendations, regardless of political affiliation in the future. It will take a collective effort to bring about change, and women’s football is equipped with a strong support system – we must not let this chance slip away. Let’s keep moving forward, united as one team.

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Source: theguardian.com