Why women’s football growth can lead to burnout

Women’s football exploded to Global stage. Record crowds, Main sponsorshipElite athletes and huge media offers transformed this sport into a rapidly developing spectacle. His Rise can be inspiringbut for success, Many players are fighting with growing physical and mental requirements of contemporary game.

When the game becomes faster and more physically intensive, it is expected that players will provide the highest results in crowded national seasons, international tournaments and growing commercial liabilities.

Recovery windows are shrinking Pressure to remain in the top performance It only grows. Physiotherapists have already warned The fact that many players have burnout, overtraining and growing risk of injuries due to inadequate rest time and recovery.

Along with growing visibility, control also increases. Women players now live in the Center for Social Media attention, in which they are expected that they not only occur, but also lead, inspire and remain infinitely positive – often In the face of online abuse.

Chelsea star and England Fran Kirby spoke openly About the critic she received about her body, especially after injuries or illness when she was not in the top fitness.

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“My name is greasy all the time” She saidemphasizing how he adds abuse online Another layer of psychological load This is not always evident, but it can be deeply harmful.

Mental health is more and more part of a conversation about women’s football, but Real support remains non -uniform. After the tragic suicide of 27-year-old midfielder Sheffield United Maddy Cusack in 2023, FA commissioned a report In the support of mental health in the Super League (WSL) women.

More players speak publicly about the pressure of anxiety, burnout and emotional stress, but access to professional psychological care still depends largely on the resources of individual clubs.

For some players, psychological downloads are even more deepening after injury. One found one examination This professional players are almost twice as exposed to psychological stress after surgery. However, the support of mental health while recovering injuries remains inconsistent On the other side of WSL.

The history of Millie Brilliant offers the latest example. The defender of Chelsea and England left most of the season 2023-24 due to injury, and in 2025 withdrew from the England team citing burnout. She finally have undergone knee surgery And she decided to determine the priority of her rehabilitation against international duty, emphasizing the tough choices that players faced during physical and emotional well -being.

Organizations and clubs have a key role in protecting players’ prosperity. Already UEFA was under fire for the introduction of commercial growth before the well -being of players along with the extension of the Women’s Champions League in the modern format of the “Swiss model”.

Instead of facing three opponents twice, the teams will now play six different teams in the league phase, dividing these matches home and outside. While additional devices can Increase visibility and revenuesThey also add to the already criminal schedule, increasing the risk of fatigue, injury and burning players He has already stretched to the border.

Financial security remains another essential challenge. Some WSL players apparently earn only £ 20,000 a year, forcing many to juggle Full -time work or academic studies with football.

In the case of mothers in the game, the requirements are even higher because they manage childcare, training, travel and regeneration with little institutional support. Maternity policy remains inconsistent and many players Choosing intensive pressure to quickly return to the top after pregnancy.

Extraordinary resistance

Despite these huge challenges, players still show extraordinary immunity, paving the way for the next generation. But as the Health Association in Education 2024 Notes from the reportImmability is not enough. Without appropriate investments in physical and mental health services, long -term well -being and careers of these athletes are at risk.

While mental endurance is often celebrated, Research shows This resistance depends largely on the available support structures. In WSL, access to psychiatric care and sport psychology it differs dramatically between clubs.

FA has announced plans for the roles of well -being and psychology to be mandatory in Licensing WSL, which is a positive step. But for many players there is consistent, high -quality support Far from the warranty.

There is no doubt that women’s football has finally gained the attention he deserves. But progress cannot come from the costs of the player’s prosperity. The balanced future of this sport means investing not only in performance, but in protection: standardized access to physiotherapy, sports psychology and goodness specialists for all players in all clubs.

If the game really wants prosperHe must create a culture in which players are not only expected, but are supported to rest, recover and talk about mental health – without fear, stigma or consequences.