Football as work: the lived realities of professional women footballers in England

In 2011, the Football Association (FA), national governing body of football in England, launched first semi-professional league for women. The inception FA Women’s Super League (FA WSL), created opportunity as work its elite women footballers, an occupational field tied historically to a highly masculinist and thus, gender exclusive culture. 2018, WSL adopted full- time professional status. professionalisation women’s has provided both offer insight into women, examine workplace employment policies available footballers. Ambiguity exists between growing precarious conditions which players operate. low visibility status afforded football, means that research on working footballers remains particularly limited. Ergo, outcomes consequences England are largely unknown. This examines experiences England. Drawing upon theoretical apparatus Pierre Bourdieu, investigates how learn values dispositions (habitus) intrinsically male dominated incorporate this their practice. A qualitative approach was undertaken involved conducting 30 semi-structured interviews with This study employs interpretative framework allows an in-depth understanding acknowledging participants’ realities perspectives. Key themes examined here include, demographic information, operating dual career/education, life League, contracts, policy, identity player post-career considerations. The key findings demonstrate unprepared new, gendered careers prospect career embody expectations clubs FA. roles, remits placed increasingly complex dynamic, placing obligations personal/private lives. Women mixed existing system limited policy consideration needs contribution is neglect essential such education, maternity leave options. reflects disempowered position who devoted making it footballer. identifies implications those invested footballer, once short reach conclusion.