Simone O’Kane talks to the captain of Blackburn Rovers Ladies FC about the challenges she faces

ALTHOUGH female athletes have come a long way over the decades it’s clear that equality for women’s football is still some way off.

As the sport continues to grow internationally there are changes that need to be made as slow progression and sexism are still highlighted on and off the pitch.

One woman who faces the challenges of being a female footballer is Sophie Flynn who has to combine a full-time job and an apprenticeship as well as being the captain of Blackburn Rovers Ladies FC first team.

The 21-year-old from Rishton works as a trainee accountant and says that change is needed so that women can be footballers full time and be paid the same as men.

“Whilst the profile of women's football is rising, it would be fantastic to see a time in the near future when women's football is held in the same regard as the men’s game. Being a professional footballer really would be a dream come true, but the women’s game just isn’t at the same level as men’s football,” says Sophie who joined Blackburn Rovers at the age of 12.

According to the Footballer’s Association a male professional player in the Premier League can receive a salary of anything up to £250,000 a week.

Sophie, a former St Mary's College student, has to combine her passion for maths and football for a small sum as she works long hours during the week at Cassons business advisers LLP in Haslingden and plays football at weekends.

“I think women should get same paid the same as men. Hopefully one day the balance will be redressed in regard to wages. It seems to be spiralling out of control and I don't believe wages can increase exponentially, as it puts pressure on the fans with prices increasing at a time when many people are struggling,” says Sophie who used to play for Lammack Juniors FC.

“I think there is a general fatigue with regard to the over inflated wages that male footballers are paid. However, the arrival of the women's super league has helped to raise the reputation of women's football, and things are slowly moving in the right direction,” says Sophie.

The female players at BRFC are expected to train with the club for five hours a week and Sophie says she also keeps fitness levels up by running and going to the gym in her own time.

Centre-midfielder Sophie still has her exams to sit and will be studying hard for the next year to qualify as a chartered accountant in case her dream of playing in the Women’s Super League doesn’t come true.

Sophie says: “I enjoy studying and learning within my profession. Whilst I love my football, I do feel it is always advantageous to have other strings to your bow. I believe it is always healthy to have other interests. Through my work I get to travel around the country and meet a lot of interesting people. I am often busy with work and studying and it is very nice to unwind by doing something I love, playing football.”

And although she enjoys working for Cassons, Sophie says she’d jump at the chance to play football full time, but for now a full time job and the role as Rovers Ladies captain is keeping her happy.

“As a captain I represent the team, which is both a responsibility and an honour. I am expected to be a leader on the pitch, and an example to the younger players in the squad. I have dual aspirations, to be at the top of my game as both a chartered accountant and a professional footballer.”

 

  • According to the FA, the nation’s No.1 female team participation sport currently has 1.38m women and girls up and down the country playing the game regularly. Sport England’s Active People survey in 2011 highlighted that 275,300 adult women play some form of football in England. This demonstrates that women's football is now the third largest team sport behind only men's football and men's cricket.
  • Over 27,000 females have successfully attained FA coaching qualifications (including 200 Level 3 - UEFA ‘B’ - coaches) and full-time Women’s Football Development Officers (WFDOs) are employed across the country in the County FAs to support local female football.