[Ireland] Women’s National League receive professional contracts and minimum wage

In Ireland, the Women’s National League (WNL) will allow professional and semi-professional players for the first time and implement the same minimum wage rules as the men’s game, The Irish Sun reports.

Until now, the WNL - which started in 2011 - has been entirely amateur, though some players have received expenses in recent years.

Ireland star Aine O'Gorman becomes the league's first semi-pro player after completing a move to Shamrock Rovers. But the FAI has reportedly given the green light for clubs to sign players on semi-professional or professional contracts. 

League Director Mark Scanlon said, “This announcement is hugely important in the development of the women’s game in Ireland and represents a watershed moment for the SSE Airtricity Women’s National League. 

“Though attendances, standards and exposure of the game have increased in recent years, women’s football in Ireland still has a long way to go to achieve the potential we know it has. 

“The announcement of professional contracts for SSE Airtricity Women’s National League players will prove to be a significant milestone in the history of the game here and comes at an apt time as our Women’s National Team, which features many of our WNL players, gets ready to compete at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. 

“Clubs will now be able to provide certainty and a platform for growth for their players as they look to progress on and off the pitch. 

“We look forward to working with all our League of Ireland Clubs to help ease this exciting transition.”

The announcement represents a significant change for the league that has been amateur since its inception. Until recently, many players had to pay club subscriptions to play.

Shamrock Rovers will enter a senior side in the WNL for the first time since 2014 next season. The club has opted to go semi-pro but it is not yet clear if others will follow its lead or remain amateur and pay expenses. 

Clubs can reportedly continue to offer amateur contracts, however, the drawback is that players are then free to move without any transfer fee or compensation being owed. 

The minimum wage that is being introduced for the men’s game from next season - €430 a week for full-time and €130 for part-time players - will be the same for the women’s game. 

Discounts of €100 per week are offered if the club also provide education or accommodation. 

Source: The Irish Sun

(Quotes via original reporting)

In Ireland, the Women’s National League (WNL) will allow professional and semi-professional players for the first time and implement the same minimum wage rules as the men’s game, The Irish Sun reports.

Until now, the WNL - which started in 2011 - has been entirely amateur, though some players have received expenses in recent years.

Ireland star Aine O'Gorman becomes the league's first semi-pro player after completing a move to Shamrock Rovers. But the FAI has reportedly given the green light for clubs to sign players on semi-professional or professional contracts. 

League Director Mark Scanlon said, “This announcement is hugely important in the development of the women’s game in Ireland and represents a watershed moment for the SSE Airtricity Women’s National League. 

“Though attendances, standards and exposure of the game have increased in recent years, women’s football in Ireland still has a long way to go to achieve the potential we know it has. 

“The announcement of professional contracts for SSE Airtricity Women’s National League players will prove to be a significant milestone in the history of the game here and comes at an apt time as our Women’s National Team, which features many of our WNL players, gets ready to compete at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. 

“Clubs will now be able to provide certainty and a platform for growth for their players as they look to progress on and off the pitch. 

“We look forward to working with all our League of Ireland Clubs to help ease this exciting transition.”

The announcement represents a significant change for the league that has been amateur since its inception. Until recently, many players had to pay club subscriptions to play.

Shamrock Rovers will enter a senior side in the WNL for the first time since 2014 next season. The club has opted to go semi-pro but it is not yet clear if others will follow its lead or remain amateur and pay expenses. 

Clubs can reportedly continue to offer amateur contracts, however, the drawback is that players are then free to move without any transfer fee or compensation being owed. 

The minimum wage that is being introduced for the men’s game from next season - €430 a week for full-time and €130 for part-time players - will be the same for the women’s game. 

Discounts of €100 per week are offered if the club also provide education or accommodation. 

Source: The Irish Sun

(Quotes via original reporting)