Before their quarterfinal match against Manchester United, players from the Women’s Championship team Lewes penned an open letter requesting equal FA Cup prize money.
The letter emphasizes the disparity between prize money for men’s and women’s competitions. Lewes received £45,000 for winning three matches to reach this point. While men’s teams who entered in the third round received £450,000.
The letter asks the public to back Karen Carney, who is leading the government’s women’s football review. The equal prize money would transform the women’s game in terms of wages, facilities, equipment, medical care, personnel, and travel expenses, according to the report.
Lauren Heria, a Lewes midfielder, stated, “We’ve earned £45,000 for the club. But if we were men we would have earned £450,000; I was shocked to learn that difference.” “We are pleased that the prize fund increased by £3 million this year and that we’ve received more money from the Cup, but it is still a small increase compared to where the men are.”
The FA increased Women’s FA Cup prize money from £428,915 to nearly £3 million in March 2012. However, the men’s prize pool increased by £3.9 million, from £15.9 million to $19.9 million, widening the disparity.
“I am well aware that we will hear, ‘Well, it increased to three million this year, so you should be pleased,'” Heria said. What I admire most about Lewes is that they will never tell us to settle, whether on or off the field. No, you can expect more of yourselves, the institution, and society,” is the standard response.
For Lewes, the prize money difference is the difference between covering costs and transforming their fortunes and future.
Lewes was the first club to pay its men’s and women’s sides equally. But the players are spearheading this latest effort.
Rhian Cleverly, club captain, stated: “This is the first time it has come from players.” This is Loz’s [Heria’s] conception. She proposed writing a letter, she’s our Lotte Wubben-Moy, and we’ve tried to support her as best we can because we all experience this daily. We comprehend what our friends in other teams and clubs go through.”
Heria was inspired by the letter England and Arsenal defender Wubben-Moy sent to the Tory leadership candidates last summer after the Lionesses won the Euros. The letter advocated for equal access to school athletics. All of Lewes’ plans seemed more possible after the government met the team’s demands last week.
Nat Johnson, a defender, remarked, “That inspired us.” “For us, a portion of this letter was about education and visibility. We’re more motivated now that we know it could alter our bodies.”
Cleverly stated, “Their letter was extremely persuasive. We used their letter as a model, and we would frequently ask, “What did the Lionesses do?” If that worked for them, then we should implement similar strategies in our letter.
On Sunday, we’ll be competing against some of them. This is extremely effective. “On Sunday, we’re competing against each other. But we’re fighting for the same things off the field, which is to improve women’s football in general.”
Heria explained that the letter was addressed to Carney – “a fantastic ally” – because, as the head of the review. She has the “ability to make changes” that would “develop the sport and have a significant impact on the pyramid.”
A spokesperson for the FA stated that the Women’s FA Cup had received “record levels of investment” and that “our primary objective is to attract new audiences to the competition.” We are continually seeking to enhance and invest in the women’s game to ensure its future success.”
