While professional opportunities in women’s football have grown significantly in recent years, many players still face a very different reality from their counterparts in the men’s game.

In this interview, Helen Ward discusses the financial challenges many female footballers encounter, particularly when careers are interrupted by injury or come to an end. Unlike many male professionals, most women players cannot rely on football alone and must think about education, employment and long-term career planning alongside their sporting ambitions.

Helen argues that clubs, governing bodies and support organisations have a responsibility to help players discover interests beyond football, develop new skills and prepare for future careers. Whether through education, financial guidance, mental health support or career workshops, she believes players should be supported as people first and athletes second.

Her message is simple but powerful: helping players build a future beyond football is not a distraction from their career, it’s an essential part of it and charities like The Players Foundation have a crucial role to play.