Red Roses and Lionesses made 2025 a watershed year for women’s sport in England Arsenal won the Women’s Champions League in a huge year for English players – and there may be more to come in 2026 The Guardian - UK · Dec 20, 2025
WSL hoping to turn Lionesses fever at Euros into huge boost for domestic game The chief of WSL Football, Nikki Doucet, is dreaming of a ‘massive moment’ for the sport if England beat Spain The Guardian - UK · Jul 26, 2025
FA reveals stance as Women’s Super League clubs consider scrapping relegation The FA retains a ‘golden share’ and would not support any proposals around a ‘closed’ top-flight The Independent UK · Mar 6, 2025
WSL chief: relegation may be suspended, but never scrapped Nikki Doucet, chief executive of the Women’s Super League and Championship, said promotion and relegation would never be scrapped The Guardian - UK · Mar 6, 2025
Looming relegation vote begs question: do WSL clubs now have too much power? Amid a controversial proposal to suspend relegation in the WSL, decision-makers risk putting self-interest above all else The Guardian - UK · Mar 4, 2025
Women’s Super League clubs will hold vote on radical plan to scrap relegation The proposal aims to provide stability as the top flight and Championship expand from 12 to 16 teams up to 2030 The Guardian - UK · Mar 2, 2025
Football set for alcohol in stands trial at four clubs in 2025 Four Women’s Championship clubs are set to allow spectators to drink in their seats as part of the trial The Independent UK · Nov 15, 2024
Can you drink at football stadiums? Plans for new trial to bring booze back for certain games Drinking in the stands was made illegal by the Conservative government in 1985 Evening Standard · Oct 25, 2024
Big ambitions and huge change underline this WSL season but how will it fare? With Women’s Professional Leagues Limited taking ownership from the FA, we need to be open-minded about the progress of the WSL The Guardian - UK · Sep 19, 2024
Chelsea begin their quest for sixth straight WSL title at dawn of new era The 2024-25 campaign is the first since the WSL and Championship moved out from under the umbrella of the Football Association. The Independent UK · Sep 17, 2024
Emma Hayes feels female coaches do not get as many chances as male counterparts While the WSL is densely populated with top English players, just two English women are in charge of top-flight sides this season. The Independent UK · Sep 12, 2024
WSL frustrated in attempts to broadcast games during 3pm Saturday blackout The Women’s Super League has been thwarted in attempts to broadcast games at 3pm on Saturday, despite recommendations in the Karen Carney-led review The Guardian - UK · Sep 10, 2024
Nikki Doucet on WSL: ‘We want the world’s most distinctive women’s club competition’ In an exclusive interview with Tom Garry, the most powerful person in English women’s football discusses the future of the game and how to bring in revenue The Guardian - UK · Aug 20, 2024
New WSL owners target success of ‘unprecedented levels’ in women’s football after separation from FA Nikki Doucet is the new leader of the organisation which will run the Women’s Super League and Championship The Independent UK · Aug 15, 2024
The Guardian - UK · Aug 15, 2024 All-female leadership team takes control of WSL and Women’s Championship Ownership of top two tiers of women’s football passed to independent company temporarily named Women’s Professional Leagues Ltd
The Guardian - UK · Jan 26, 2024 Nikki Doucet: ‘Even a purist is probably still a new women’s football fan’ Chief executive of the company taking over the WSL from the FA says she is still learning about the fanbase and the players
The Guardian - UK · Dec 7, 2023 Support for women’s football review has meant a lot – now let’s make an impact Government backing was a relief and a joy after so much hard work but we need to keep pushing to make real change
The Guardian - UK · Dec 5, 2023 Women’s football must be wary of following men’s game into financial cesspit New breakaway competition is expected to attract massive investment but comes with familiar risks of vulture capitalism
The Independent UK · Nov 28, 2023 WSL and Women’s Championship poised to break away from FA A new governance structure is planned ahead of the 2024-25 campaign
The Guardian - UK · Apr 21, 2023 Arsenal and Chelsea enter European last four with women’s game in flux As it enters a new phase, the Women’s Super League should aim to help clubs achieve sustained success in the Champions League