Poor pitches, low wages and conditions far behind the men’s teams’ are common problems – and that needs to change
The bubble is bursting. Professionalism has pushed the Women’s Super League to new heights, but that growth has stretched to the limit the infrastructures, personnel and, let’s face it, the commitment of those involved in the game’s development.
Although the postponement of all six games on Sunday was unavoidable, as storm Ciara battered Britain, the scattergun cancellation of eight games before that was not; because the pitches WSL teams play on are, overwhelming, not fit to host top-level professional teams. Birmingham’s home ground, Damson Park, the home of National League Solihull Moors, has seen two games abandoned. Prenton Park, where Liverpool Women and League One Tranmere Rovers play, is a bog and has also seen two women’s games called off. To avoid further chaos Liverpool’s game against Arsenal on Thursday has been moved to Chester. So hard has it been to find a ground for the sister team of the likely Premier League champions that they are resorting to a pitch which straddles the Welsh border, 26 miles from Anfield.
Related: Sam Kerr and Lucy Bronze shortlisted for BBC women’s footballer of the year
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