England's Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) has introduced its first dedicated pre-season camp for out-of-contract Women's Super League and Women's Super League 2 players, providing elite training, wellbeing support and career development while members prepare for their next opportunity.
The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) has launched its first dedicated pre-season camp for women footballers who are currently out of contract, creating a professional environment where players can continue training, maintain their physical condition and prepare for the next stage of their careers.
The initiative was developed for members from the Women's Super League (WSL) and Women's Super League 2 (WSL2), following the expansion of the PFA's membership after the second tier became fully professional. Recognising that the period between contracts can leave players without access to training facilities, coaching or support networks, the programme offers a structured environment during one of the most uncertain stages of a professional career.
Across two weeks of training, participants received high-performance coaching, strength and conditioning sessions, rehabilitation support and opportunities to maintain match readiness. The programme also included wellbeing services, career guidance and personal development workshops, reflecting the broad range of support that professional athletes may need while navigating transitions in employment.
Beyond the training pitch, the camp also provided something equally valuable: a sense of community. By bringing players together in a professional setting, the PFA created a space where members could continue developing, share experiences and remain connected to the game while exploring future opportunities.
The initiative highlights the important role that players' associations can play in supporting athletes throughout every stage of their careers, not only while they are under contract, but also during periods of uncertainty, helping ensure they can continue pursuing opportunities in professional football.
At World Players, we believe players' associations have a vital role to play in protecting athletes throughout their working lives. The PFA's camp initiative is an example —pairing wellbeing support with high-performance readiness—so players stay prepared, supported and connected to the game.
Photo credit: PFA
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