ARTICLE: LEADING THE CHARGE- WOMEN LEAD FOOTBALL INITIATIVES CHANGING THE GAME
Updated: May 2, 2025
The Rise of Women in Football Leadership
In recent years, women have taken on leadership roles in football, as coaches, referees, and executives.
In 2021, female coaches in professional leagues increased by 22% compared to the previous year. However, research by UK Coaching found a significant drop in female coaches from 44% in 2022 to 38% in 2024.
According to FA figures, over 5,000 female coaches work in England, with none progressing beyond the semi-professional level.
As of January 2024, only one-third of coaches in the Women's Super League are women.
The Women's Championship, one tier below the WSL, has a balanced split, with 50% of managers being female.
With such a disparity between the wage systems in men’s and women’s football, female coaches are less likely to afford coaching badges and licenses, limiting their progression up the coaching ladder.
The lack of opportunities for women in English football stems from the absence of industry-wide standards. United States women's manager Emma Hayes acknowledged that implementing these standards across the men’s and women’s game was challenging, but was essential for creating a level playing field.
UK Coaching developed its Gender Impact Strategy to address the need for representation, promote equity, and drive systemic change. The proportion of paid coaches rose from 38% to 53%, with 9% to 12% considering it as a primary career.
Her Game Too
Founded in 2021, Her Game Too is a volunteer-led campaign focused on promoting inclusivity and diversity in sports.
Founder Caz May spoke about the campaign’s impact in addressing sexist abuse.
“Today, I saw the incredible news about Rebecca Welch becoming the first woman to referee a Championship game. I was genuinely surprised by the support, especially from men who said it doesn’t matter whether a referee is male or female, as long as they can do the job. I believe this positive shift is partly due to our campaign raising awareness and challenging sexism.”
A Game-Changing Future
Women-led initiatives in football are reshaping the sport and setting the stage for future generations.
As more women take on leadership roles, football is changing for the better. Through teamwork, education, and dedication, women aren’t just changing the game — they’re shaping its future.
Nerea Fernandes
Her Football Sphere
March 2025
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