CLIFTONVILLE legend Marissa Callaghan says the historic announcement of a dozen female players at the north Belfast club signing professional contracts is a hugely important step for equality in the local game.
The Reds are the first club in the north to register some of its female playing staff on professional forms – and while the contracts are not life-changing terms, Callaghan nevertheless warmly welcomed the move.
“I think it’s an important step,” Callaghan said.
“It’s about equality, it’s about giving female players more opportunities. We already train like professionals, especially at international level. I suppose it’s getting that extra support from the club and they appreciate what we do.
“We train three nights a week and on a Sunday, so we’re training as much as our men’s team.
“Now, obviously we’re not receiving as much money as the men’s team but at least it’s something and it’s the principle which is more important. I think other clubs will start thinking about going in this direction too now.”
The NIFL Women’s Premiership continues to grow from strength to strength with a new 10-team league kicking off on April 19 with clubs now having the flexibility to play their matches at the weekends rather than their traditional Wednesday evening slot.
“It’s a massive step forward that some of our games are going to be played at the weekends,” said Callaghan, a Northern Ireland international who starred at last summer's European Championships.
“We’re competing in a 10-team league this year. Now, there are still massive gaps between the top and the bottom but there are so many young players coming through now that over the next five or 10 years that gap will be bridged.”
Callaghan has been at Solitude for the best part of two decades and has watched the women’s team at the club go from training one night per week to becoming league champions for the first time last season.
“Some of us have been at Cliftonville a long time,” she said.
“I remember we used to train at Cherryvale once a week and play a game and our season ran from April to August. Fast-forward to now, it’s just gone to another level.
“Within our club, a lot of credit goes to our management team because they came from the men’s game, a professional set-up, and they just transformed our team so that we could win trophies and leagues. And I also think Gerard Lawlor going into NIFL has done a great job too.”
Last season, Glentoran attempted to sign some of its players on professional contracts but their fellow clubs prevented this move from being passed.
However, it is likely other clubs will now register some players as professionals with many of the top teams also accommodating amateur players.
NIFL chief Gerard Lawlor welcomed Cliftonville’s announcement on Tuesday night and says some attendance figures from the Women’s Premiership are now out-performing some Championship clubs in the men’s game.
“It’s a massive step in the women’s game for equality and professionalism,” Lawlor said, a former chairman of Cliftonville.
“If I’m really honest, they were the forgotten soldiers of Cliftonville when I was at the club, and what they’ve achieved in the game in Northern Ireland is outstanding.
“We’ve moved away from the Wednesday night slot for their games as the clubs themselves decided that Friday night would be the nominated match-day but they have the option of moving their games back to the Wednesday or playing on Sunday. Whatever works for them. If we’re learning anything, we need to be flexible about when to play our games.”
Lawlor also paid tribute to west Belfast native Callaghan for her dedication and loyalty to the north Belfast club.
“Marissa could’ve left for other clubs but stayed with Cliftonville,” he said.
“I’m sure the professional contracts the Cliftonville girls are on isn’t life-changing money, but it’s at least an acknowledgement of their dedication and it’s good to feel appreciated.”
Alongside Callaghan, her Northern Ireland team-mates Kelsie Burrows, Abbie Magee, Caitlin and Kirsty McGuinness, Louise McDaniel also signed two-year contracts for the Reds.
Danielle Maxwell, Toni Leight Finnegan, Fi Morgan, Yasmin White, Vicky Carleton and Hannah Doherty make up the historic dozen who can call themselves professional footballers of Cliftonville.
