Taking your first step in the women’s football industry, exploring VAR in the women’s game, and Esme Morgan’s raffle supporting ACL recovery equipment.
This week's edition of the Beyond the Pitch FREE email newsletter.
Introduction:
We’re here to keep you connected to the world of women’s football.
Every week in this email, you’ll find:
A deep dive into an essential aspect of building a career in the women’s football industry.
All the articles uploaded to our website this week.
A roundup of the biggest headlines from women’s football across the globe.
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What should be your first step toward building a career in the women’s football industry?
One of the most common questions from those looking to break into the women’s football industry—whether as a journalist, content creator, or in another role—is: How do I get started?
Everyone’s path can look very different, but when we asked the team at Beyond the Pitch about their own first steps, here are some of the key responses they shared:
“Writing a personal piece after the Euros about what the Lionesses’ journey meant to me, which ultimately led to my big break.”
“Reaching out to various women’s football platforms to inquire about any available opportunities.”
“Starting my own blog and committing to writing after every match.”
“Contacted websites to inquire about opportunities for new journalists.”
“I sought out voluntary writing opportunities to cover the championships I was passionate about. If you can’t find any, create your own! While it may not be paid, it’s a great way to gain experience and build your portfolio.”
At Beyond the Pitch, our mission is to create opportunities for individuals to gain valuable experience and launch their careers in women’s football.
The latest Beyond the Pitch articles:
Euros 2025 in Switzerland: Match day Tickets with Included Public Transport for Seamless Stadium Travel by Liv Graf:
The presale for matchday tickets for the Women’s Euros 2025 in Switzerland began on October 1st, with the general sale starting on October 9th. During the presale alone, over 120,000 tickets were sold, and an additional 50,000 tickets were released the following week. Following the final tournament draw in December, another 120,000 tickets will become available.
Every ticket not only grants access to the game on the chosen matchday but also doubles as a travel card for public transport to the stadium. This thoughtful solution makes attending the games hassle-free, as all the stadiums are conveniently accessible by train, bus, or tram. It eliminates the need to find parking or pay for an often expensive taxi ride. But how much can you actually save with this option, particularly if you’re travelling from another country and don’t already have a Swiss travel card?
Goal-Line Technology and VAR in Women’s Football: Is the Future Now, or Do Bigger Issues Still Need to Be Addressed? by Adam Salter:
To the disbelief of Chelsea fans, the players, and especially Hampton—who was booked for her protests—the assistant referee ruled that the ball had crossed the line before Hampton could claim it. Tottenham Hotspur had scored an incredible, yet highly controversial, equaliser out of nowhere. This moment sparked a familiar wave of debate and old arguments that resurfaced once again.
Should mental-health services be non-negotiable in women’s football clubs? by Gina Burton:
Once considered a taboo subject, mental health in women’s football is now a vital and urgent topic of discussion. Today, as awareness grows around the unique pressures facing female footballers, mental health support is increasingly seen as essential, not optional. These athletes endure stressors both on and off the field, making mental health care as important as physical training.
This weeks key stories in women’s football:
Esme Morgan’s raffle supporting ACL recovery equipment:
Washington Spirit and Lionesses defender Esme Morgan took to Instagram this week to launch two charity raffles, offering fans the chance to win exclusive prizes: a team-signed Washington Spirit Championship match shirt or one of her personal Lionesses shirts, signed by the entire squad.
All proceeds will go to The Children’s Hospital Charity, funding the purchase of cutting-edge equipment for ACL reconstruction surgeries in children and young people. The initiative aims to reduce re-injury rates and support stronger, more complete recoveries for those affected by ACL ruptures.
Sarina Wiegman receives honorary degree in recognition of her outstanding contributions to women’s football:
Sarina Wiegman has been honoured with an honorary degree from Loughborough University in recognition of her impactful contributions to women’s football both on and off the pitch.
FIFA unveil new women’s world rankings:
In the latest FIFA world rankings, the USA reclaim the top spot, followed by Spain, who drop to second after their historic World Cup victory in 2023. Germany secures third place, while the Lionesses drop to fourth following a challenging run of results. Sweden holds steady in fifth, and Canada ranks sixth despite facing significant controversies during the Olympics.
Subway secure League Cup sponsorship in expected £1 million deal:
Subway has signed a multi-year agreement with Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL) to become the new title partner of the Women’s League Cup.
Effective immediately, the tournament will be renamed the Subway Women’s League Cup starting from the 2024/25 season.
While the financial details of the deal remain undisclosed, The Telegraph reports its value at £1 million.
As part of its collaboration with WPLL, the fast-food chain aims to support and accelerate the growth of women’s football nationwide.
UEFA Women’s EURO 2025: Record-Breaking Prize Money to Include Dedicated Player Rewards
Prize money for UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 will see a significant boost, with participating nations set to receive substantially higher rewards. For the first time, players will be guaranteed a percentage of the prize money.
On Monday, ahead of the Women’s EURO 2025 final tournament draw, the UEFA Executive Committee approved a €41 million prize pool in Lausanne, Switzerland—a 156% increase compared to 2022.
Additionally, club benefit payments will rise to €6 million, providing compensation to European clubs releasing players for the tournament.
These enhanced rewards highlight UEFA’s commitment to the growth of women’s football across Europe, supported by a €1 billion investment in the sport’s development between 2024 and 2030.
This comes following news that VAR, goal line technology and semi-automated offsides will be utilised at Euro 2025.