FA announces improved female pro contracts including enhanced maternity policy

Improved contracts for professional female players – including an enhanced maternity policy – will come into effect from next season, the Football Association has announced.

It was revealed last week that an agreement had been reached between the FA and the Professional Footballers’ Association to make the improvements, and on Tuesday the FA set out detail of the new maternity package.

The governing body said that players in the Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship going on maternity leave from the 2022-23 campaign will be entitled to 14 weeks at 100 per cent of their regular salary and any additional remuneration, before reverting to the applicable statutory rate.

Previously any enhancements had been at a club’s discretion, with the standard minimum being statutory maternity pay. Even then, a player had to have been with a club for a minimum of 26 weeks to qualify.

Under the new policy, there is no minimum qualifying period.

The FA said the policy would form part of a club’s licensing criteria, and must be offered to players to ensure those criteria are met.

The contracts will also improve injury and illness cover and the terms around termination of contract due to a long-term injury, bringing them in line with the standard contracts for male players.

The FA’s director of the women’s professional game, Kelly Simmons, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to put this agreement in place and it is another significant step forward for the women’s game.

“Player welfare and well-being has always been our number one priority and this new policy ensures players are better supported, whether that’s going on maternity leave or as a result of a long-term injury.

“This objective was written into our Women’s Pro Game