Chelsea FC Women Launches New Player Maternity Policy
Chelsea FC Women (CFCW) has announced a new enhanced suite of family-friendly policies designed to provide its players with greater financial security, personalised care and comprehensive support through pregnancy, parenthood and other family-building journeys.
The policy forms part of the club’s continued ambition to set the standard for player care in women’s football.
The centrepiece of the new framework is the club’s Player Maternity Policy, offering personalised support throughout pregnancy and dedicated medical care to support each player’s individual return to professional football.
The policy has been developed to give players greater financial security and confidence planning for parenthood.
It’s designed to recognise that every player’s journey is different, while ensuring their health and wellbeing remain the priority throughout pregnancy and their transition back to elite sport.
The club’s enhanced approach includes:
– Personalised support throughout pregnancy, with the right to access private scans and delivery options
– Post-partum recovery support, led by the club’s industry-leading experts covering physical, mental and emotional aspects of postnatal health
– Financial support for a partner or nanny to travel to away fixtures up to one year after a player’s return to play, to ensure those early months of returning to play post-delivery are fully supported
– Enhanced adoption and parental leave policies, recognising that there is no single path to becoming a parent
– Subsidised childcare, a contribution to childcare costs when a player returns to rehab or training
These policies follow the club’s recently announced partnership with Fertility Plus, which includes the creation of a Player Value in Kind Fund to financially support players exploring their fertility and family-building options.
Aki Mandhar, Chief Executive Officer for Chelsea FC Women, said: “There is no single path to becoming a parent, and our responsibility is to ensure our players have access to the support, security and care they deserve, whatever their individual journey looks like.
“Our enhanced Player Maternity Policy, alongside our adoption, parental leave and fertility support, is designed to give our players confidence that they will be supported throughout their careers with us.”
Phil Radley, Sporting Director for Chelsea FC Women, added: “We are proud of the progress we are making, but we are never done looking for ways to do more.
“Our ambition is to build the best women’s sports organisation in the world; one that truly values its players and gives them everything they need to thrive – both as athletes and as people.”
