Following the fantastic news that the League of Ireland will be introducing professional contract to the Women's National League (WNL), Ireland international, and former runner up for the Puskas Award, Stephanie Roche, spoke on the announcement.
The Peamount United striker feels that the move is a huge step forward in keeping players in the WNL for longer, while she also praised the announcement that compensation is also being brought in for clubs who lose players.
"Obviously it's brilliant and a great step-forward," said Roche. "To think about five years ago where we were. The girls qualifying for their first World Cup and to see contracts introduced into the league, I think it's hugely important.
"We've seen so many players go abroad over the last number of months. You've seen teams maybe getting compensated for players leaving their teams as well, but just bringing that extra bit of professionalism to the league is going to brilliant for everybody involved."
WNL To Introduce Professional Contracts
League of Ireland to introduce professional contracts for players in SSE Airtricity Women’s National League from 2023 season.
👉 https://t.co/p7UoZvvXQe pic.twitter.com/orM7XqsszA— Women's National League (@LoiWomen) November 30, 2022
READ HERE: Chloe Singleton Talks WNL, The State Of Women's Football, And Making The League Greener
"It helps to prepare players as well, you know if you're playing in a team, even if it's semi-professional where you're training a little. Because at the moment a lot of the teams are training twice a week, some maybe train a little bit more but I can't speak everybody.
"But I think if you're a young player looking to go abroad, if you can play in your own national league and have a bit of a professional element, it prepares you better for when you go across the water to England or wherever you might go."
The contracts are due to be introduced to the WNL ahead of the upcoming 2023 season.
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