A thoughtful roadmap for achieving high performance in women’s football while prioritizing player welfare

Payam Ansari
The Bournemouth University Business School

Women’s football has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. From its historic exclusion and underfunding to the increasing popularity of international tournaments like the FIFA World Cup, the game has reached an exciting phase of growth and recognition. Yet, despite these strides, significant disparities persist in comparison to men’s football. Issues such as limited funding, unequal pay and visibility, and a significant lack of comprehensive research on the unique needs of women athletes continue to hinder the sport’s development. It is against this backdrop that Women’s Football, edited by Jacky Forsyth and Claire-Marie Roberts, emerges as a critical resource, shedding light on the scientific, social, and practical dimensions of women’s football.

Published in September 2024 by Routledge, this insightful book offers a thorough and well-structured analysis of the key structural, physiological, biomechanical, and psychosocial factors shaping the development of women’s football. Its 17 chapters, co-authored by a diverse team of scholars and practitioners, deliver evidence-based insights and actionable recommendations, making it a valuable guide for anyone invested in the present and future of the women’s game.

Like other edited collections that include various authors, most chapters cover different topics, so I will briefly highlight each chapter to give a glance of the book.

Perhaps it’s necessary to highlight the reflexivity of the author of this review before going any further. As a middle-aged male academic with a background in business and sport management, research focused on women’s football, and its fandom and commercialisation, and a feminist perspective, I approached this book with a lens shaped by my professional, scholarly, and ideological experiences.

The remaining chapters of the book delve deeply into the multifaceted challenges and opportunities in women’s football (referred to as football hereafter), beginning with its physical and physiological dimensions.

Setting the Scene: From Barriers to Progress

The book opens with a compelling exploration of women’s football within a global and historical framework, setting the stage for its broader analysis. The first chapter charts the sport’s evolution, from the restrictive era of formal bans to its emergence as a significant player in the modern sports landscape. It examines pivotal institutional shifts and the influence of globalisation, while critically addressing enduring challenges such as financial sustainability and the complexities of commercialisation. The focus then shifts to strategic workforce development, emphasising the importance of fair remuneration, improved working conditions, and inclusive policies that prioritise player welfare. Grounded in data from professional players and policy analysis, these opening chapters lay a strong foundation for the book’s subsequent exploration of issues and challenges across other disciplines—a scope aptly reflected in its subtitle, From Science to High Performance.

Enhancing Performance, Health, and Support

The remaining chapters of the book delve deeply into the multifaceted challenges and opportunities in women’s football (referred to as football hereafter), beginning with its physical and physiological dimensions. Chapter 3 explores the evolving physical demands of the game, presenting data on match activity profiles, position-specific requirements, and fitness testing, while emphasising the need for applied practices tailored to the game. This chapter ties well with the broader discussion on the professionalisation of football, highlighting not only its advancements but also the inherent challenges and risks. As the game evolves, increasing physical demands and pressures can compromise player safety, wellbeing, and career longevity, underscoring the need for thoughtful approaches to balance progress with player care.

Chapter 4 examines talent identification, critiquing the reliance on subjective assessments and highlighting the role of biopsychosocial factors and flexible development programmes to create a supportive pathway for young players.

The unique physiological needs of footballers are further addressed in Chapters 5 and 6, which focus on the impact of the menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptives on training, performance, and recovery. Practical recommendations, such as real-time cycle tracking and symptom monitoring, are offered to help practitioners individualise their approach.

Chapter 7 examines the challenges and adaptations footballers face during pregnancy and motherhood. The authors emphasise the importance of tailored, player-centred support and underscore the need for multidisciplinary collaboration and individualised protocols, advocating for open communication, timely planning, and regular monitoring to ensure a safe return-to-play while prioritising the health, wellbeing, and career longevity of mother-athletes.

Nutrition and hydration strategies are discussed in Chapter 8, with evidence-based guidelines for macronutrient intake and hydration protocols, while Chapters 9 and 10 shed light on the risks of eating disorders and relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S), drawing connections between sport-specific pressures and disordered eating behaviours. Together, these chapters underscore the importance of integrating scientific knowledge with player-centred care to enhance performance and wellbeing.

The book’s focus then shifts to mental health, injury prevention, and organisational challenges, highlighting the broader structural and psychosocial complexities of the game. Chapter 11 explores the psychosocial development of players, with an emphasis on the transitions athletes face throughout their careers, such as moving from junior to senior levels, and the support needed to facilitate positive outcomes. Chapter 12 offers a critical analysis of mental health in professional football, addressing the sociocultural and competitive challenges faced by players and advocating for culturally bespoke strategies that prioritise education, proactive support, and collaborative care. Chapter 13 addresses the overlooked issue of breast health in football, highlighting how inadequate support impacts performance, participation, and wellbeing. It discusses the risks of excessive breast movement, such as pain and tissue damage, and advocates for evidence-based guidelines, proper bra fitting, and education to enhance player comfort and confidence.

Injury management is extensively addressed in Chapters 14 through 16, which provide insights into injury epidemiology, concussion care, and rehabilitation practices. These chapters highlight the prevalence of non-contact ACL injuries and the role of advanced technologies, such as machine learning, in predicting injury risks. Chapter 15 focuses specifically on concussion, sharing real-world accounts and best practices for safe return-to-play protocols. The authors emphasise the critical role of evidence-based practices in ensuring player safety, stating:

Concussion is becoming one of the most important topics in athlete care with a fast-moving landscape that is constantly evolving. While the long-term impact and consequences of Sport Related Concussion are being explored, those working with footballers have a duty of care to create a safe environment for participation. Evidence-based practice should be mandated in elite women’s football and should not be seen as something that is merely desirable.

In a world where women’s football continues to face systemic inequalities, this book stands as both a testament to the progress made and a call to action for further change.

The final chapter, “Reflection and Reflecting on Football Coach Education”, offers practical guidance for integrating reflective practice into coach education. The authors highlight the importance of self-awareness and informal learning in developing effective coaching strategies. Their insights resonate with the book’s overarching message: that advancing football requires a commitment to continuous learning, collaboration, and innovation.

One of the book’s key strengths lies in its dual focus on knowledge and application, achieved through the collaboration of scholars and practitioners or players in co-authoring chapters. This approach ensures that complex scientific principles and research are translated effectively into practical insights.

Building on this strength, the book weaves a recurring theme of the gendered nature of challenges in football. Whether it’s the impact of the menstrual cycle on training (explored in Chapters 5 and 6), the lack of tailored injury prevention strategies (Chapter 16), or the specific nutritional needs of women players (Chapter 8), the authors consistently advocate for addressing these issues through a gender-sensitive lens. Forsyth and Roberts’ advocacy for distinguishing between biological “sex” and sociocultural “gender” highlights their commitment to nuanced, inclusive discourse.

While Women’s Football excels in its insightful coverage and practical relevance, it also highlights persistent gaps in research and practice. The editors acknowledge the limited data on women’s football compared to men’s, particularly in areas such as injury prevention, talent development, and nutrition—issues that are critical for both athlete well-being and the sustainability of women’s football as an industry. Although these gaps may initially seem tangential to the business development of the game, they are, and should be recognised as, central to the professionalisation process. They have a profound effect on the standards of play and, in turn, shape sponsorship opportunities, fan engagement, and stadium attendance. These factors are crucial for ensuring the long-term growth and success of the game.

Conclusion

Women’s Football bridges the gap between science and practice. Forsyth and Roberts provide a thoughtful roadmap for achieving high performance while prioritising player welfare, making the book a valuable resource for a wide audience. In a world where women’s football continues to face systemic inequalities, this book stands as both a testament to the progress made and a call to action for further change. It highlights that advancing the game requires more than investment in resources; it demands a deep understanding of the science, culture, and humanity that underpin the sport. Whether you are a decision-maker in any area of the game, a researcher, or simply a supporter, Women’s Football offers not only valuable insights but also a compelling case for fostering the continued growth and success of the game.

Copyright © Payam Ansari 2025