Women’s Super League to be Led by All Women Leadership Group
Women’s Professional Leagues Limited is the name of the new entity that, since last week, has taken over control of the Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays Women’s Championship from the FA.
Each club participating in these leagues will be a shareholder in the new company.
CEO Nikki Doucet will lead the new company, which “is founded on a new vision and mission to transform women’s football by building the most distinctive, competitive and entertaining women’s football club competition in the world for the players and fans of today and tomorrow.”
That is a bold statement, but it matches the speed and energy with which the Women’s game has grown in England, especially since the staging of the European Championship Finals in 2022.
“The next successful era of the women’s professional game will be built on the foundations of collaboration, and we are excited to work together with all stakeholders to drive transformational and sustainable growth across our leagues by leveraging the distinctive qualities, values and principles which exist in the women’s game,” said Doucet.
“Women’s football in England has witnessed unprecedented growth in recent years, marked by increased fan engagement, rising attendance at matches, and a surge in participation at all levels.”
“We are fiercely committed to building on this momentum by creating a thriving landscape which prioritises the welfare and development of players, fosters and excites a vibrant fan community, and nurtures the sport’s growth.”
“As we embark on this exciting journey, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the FA for its outstanding work in developing the sport. We look forward to building upon this solid foundation and elevating women’s professional football in England to unprecedented levels.”
Doucet will be joined by an all-female leadership group comprising Chief Operating Officer Holly Murdoch, who joins from the FA; Chief Marketing Officer Ruth Hooper, formerly of Nike; Chief Football Officer Mirelle van Rijbroek, who joins from the US Soccer Federation; and Chief Revenue Officer Zarah Al-Kudcy, who is switching from a role at Chelsea FC.
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