Charlton Athletic full-back Ella Powell is hopeful that the Women\u2019s Championship becomes fully professional and has been impressed by the league\u2019s progress in such a short space of time.<\/p>\n
The Wales international says that the influx of more investment and talent into the division means that the women\u2019s second tier is on the right path to achieving full professional status.<\/p>\n
In a virtual press conference organised by Next Gen Sport Solutions<\/a>, she said: \u201cIt\u2019s progressed so much in just the space of a year. You can see players of a higher calibre coming into the Championship now, with clubs getting more funding.<\/p>\n \u201cThe likes of Liverpool<\/a>, Leicester City<\/a> and Sheffield United<\/a> being in the division also gives the league more exposure and encourages more players of a better quality to come into the league.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been surprised with how much the clubs have developed, and if we continue the way we\u2019re going, it\u2019s only a matter of time before all the teams in the Championship have to match those levels raised by the top clubs in this division.<\/p>\n \u201cThey have set the tone and I feel very optimistic about the development and progression of the Championship in the next few years.<\/p>\n \u201cNow is the time to close that gap between the Championship and the Women\u2019s Super League. There have been times where there\u2019s been a worry that the gap has been growing when you see some of the players coming into the Women\u2019s Super League. The bar has definitely been raised and it\u2019s up to every club to match that level.\u201d<\/p>\n All 12 of the current Women\u2019s Super League clubs are affiliated with a men\u2019s team, meanwhile, Durham is the only independent women\u2019s club in their own right within the top two divisions.<\/p>\n Powell believes having the backing from the men\u2019s game isn\u2019t essential to be successful, but feels it is something to be encouraged for the overall health of the sport.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s an important aspect and some of the successful women\u2019s clubs have fairly good representation on the men\u2019s side.<\/p>\n \u201cBut it isn\u2019t always necessary to have the backing of a men\u2019s club behind you, and if you\u2019re able to create a women\u2019s entity on its own and make it successful, then that\u2019s amazing.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, I would say that if there\u2019s an opportunity for a men\u2019s club to support a women\u2019s team, then why wouldn\u2019t you? If you want to expand your fan base across both genders, then that can only be a good thing – I hope we see more of that going forward.\u201d<\/p>\n The Women\u2019s Championship is currently a semi-professional league, meaning Powell has a day job on the side and runs a fitness-based business<\/a> called Jodie Brett<\/a> Performance in partnership with Brighton & Hove Albion<\/a> footballer Jodie Brett.<\/p>\nBacking of a Men’s Club Should Be Encouraged<\/h3>\n
Women’s Championship is Currently Semi-Professional<\/h3>\n
Keeping the Mind Sharp<\/h3>\n