The Women's National League, Four Years On: A Brief Overview

As the Irish Women’s National League enters its fifth year, we can look back over some valuable progressions, some areas for improvement, and gather excitement for the 2015/16 season ahead…

Teams Involved – Back to Eight

After fostering only seven teams last season, the WNL is now back to its previous maximum number of eight, due to the addition of Kilkenny United WFC. The entire women’s soccer community were disappointed to see the disbandment of Shamrock Rovers after three years involved, and memories of competing in the great Tallaght Stadium still linger. The addition of Galway WFC in 2013 was a major boost for soccer in the West of Ireland, a location with a strong tradition of underage talent production.

This year’s newest addition Kilkenny WFC has been welcomed across the league, and hopefully the added variety in competition will serve to boost the WNL once more. By maintaining eight teams, women’s soccer can continue to strive towards a future two-tiered national league structure. In addition, this year’s amalgamation of Raheny United and Irish soccer stalwarts Shelbourne has proved an interesting move, and their success will be monitored as a measure of potential for further episodes of club combination.  

Standard of Play has Improved

The existence of the WNL has served to retain players beyond the age group where, previously, players would have possibly moved away from the game. The challenge that the WNL offers means that it is an exciting place to compete within, and players want to stay and play. This retention of players gives coaches time to implement their style of play and to improve and enhance their team’s technical aspects. The pace of the game has undeniably increased since the birth of the WNL four years ago.

Linked to this is an increase in intensity and physicality. The emergence of certain individual stars has served to add sparkle to the league in moments.  As underage coaching structures continue to produce top-class players, the WNL can certainly look forward to entertaining more and more players of star quality.

Athleticism has Increased

Linked to the standard and quality is an increase in athleticism of competing players. This is a welcome observation as it is an area where Ireland struggles behind other leading nations. Credit may perhaps go to an increase in coaching awareness, and appreciation of emerging sports science. Irish women’s sport has an unfortunate history of strength and conditioning negligence, which has extended from grassroots right up to the elite level.

Thankfully this appears to be improving, and it was clear last season which teams had paid attention to physical preparation. One need only observe the leading nations in the Women’s World Cup to appreciate how important it is to focus on player conditioning, with all finalists sporting similar physiques and strength levels. We can expect to see another rise in fitness levels on display throughout the WNL this year.

New Teams Challenging, and Advancement in Europe

Last year’s capture of the WNL trophy by Wexford Youths was a welcome turn of events in terms of silverware diversity. Their development over the past few years can only be positive for the league as a whole, and certainly serve as a template and source of optimism for teams entering the league, or in the stages of early development. However, Raheny’s dominance in the years prior to this cannot be forgotten, and their exploits in Europe last year were supported and valued by all Irish women’s soccer enthusiasts. Wexford Youths will hope to echo these exploits when competing in the Champions League in Poland next month.

Back in Ireland, the 2015/16 WNL season is certain to be a cracker; with newly formed Shels sure to be gunning for their first trophy, Youths determined to secure retention, and UCD seeking to fulfil their potential, we can be certain of some hugely entertaining matches emerging come September. Castlebar Celtic, Galway WFC, Kilkenny FC, Cork City and Peamount United will all be looking to improve and start knocking at the top of the table.

Media Coverage Needs to be Better

Of course the television coverage of the finals in the Aviva has represented major moments of progression. However, coverage needs to be better. Clearly this is an issue which applies to the majority of women’s sports in Ireland. Those who hold the power of coverage selection – both via television and print media – need to see beyond their defence of lack of public interest. Those in the media hold a unique power in that they can work to swing a society; they can initiate public interest. Regardless of what is thought of women and soccer in Ireland, our society needs to have access current topics in women’s sport, if it so seeks. In a world of growing concern over obesity and poor health, young Irish girls need to know that sport is there and can pose rewards if they attempt involvement. National media coverage of the WNL has to improve in order to continue to push women’s soccer in Ireland.

 The lack of media coverage has a massively negative impact on WNL teams’ quests for financial backing. The guarantee of media exposure equals investment opportunity. If the media can step up for women’s soccer (and women’s sport, in general), the rebound effect is potentially massive. One example of the knock on effect of low media coverage is the fact that Wexford Youths are currently approaching the 2015/16 Champions League without a main sponsor. Those within the game can see the clear opportunities that are open with investment in such a club, but with the media’s help, we can spread the message far and wide.

We Need to Work on Changing the Perception

Linked to media coverage is the perception of women’s soccer, and of the WNL, in Ireland. As is stated in so many national women’s soccer development plans, perception (society’s opinion or appreciation) of the game is key. To highlight the problem of perception of women’s soccer in Ireland, comparison can be made with women’s soccer in the United States. The support of their women’s national team is evidence enough. But it is the reaction of the ordinary US individual to women’s soccer which is crucial here – When I played in the States I was often asked what sport I played.  When the answer was soccer, I was constantly amazed when I was met with words such as “wow, amazing, great” etc. All positive, encouraging, respectful.

The ordinary Irish citizen’s response is overwhelmingly surprised, often tinged with disbelief, and from time to time slight disdain. As a nation, we need to start educating our children of the gift that sport offers, and offers equally to both males and females. We need to grow up with respect for those who challenge themselves as athletes. This attitude can do nothing but benefit the generation coming behind us.

After years in the making, the WNL is now entering its fifth year, with this season shaping up to be its best yet in terms of competition, quality, and entertainment. Kicking off in September, fixtures are due to be released shortly. Let’s hope the WNL can continue to progress; it needs your support…