Protective Measures Implemented by Hoffenheim in German Football for Expectant Mothers
Professional Women's Football Embraces Maternity Support: TSG Hoffenheim Pioneers in Germany
German football club TSG Hoffenheim is setting a new standard in women's football by guaranteeing contract extensions for its players in the event of pregnancy during their final year. This move, the club declared, represents a "groundbreaking stride towards reconciling professional sports and family life."
Under these arrangements, the club will automatically extend the contract for an additional year, provided the player agrees, maintaining the same financial terms, thus offering a degree of contractual assurance.
Ralf Zwanziger, TSG's head of women's and girls' football, explained the rationale behind this move, stating, "As our club continues to evolve, it's logical for us to adapt to the changing realities of athletes, especially those who wish to start a family."
Supportive measures for pregnant athletes are already in place in countries such as the USA, Italy (with AC Milan), and Norway, encompassing collective agreements and subsidized childcare.
TSG's managing director, Markus Schütz, acknowledged that the new regulation aims to bridge the disparity between FIFA guidelines, domestic (Deutscher Fussball-Bund, or DFB) implementations, and the real-world experiences of female footballers.
Former national goalkeeper and Olympic champion Almuth Schult applauded the decision, stating, "As a mother, I am thrilled to see TSG Hoffenheim take this significant step. This move provides essential security and support for female athletes."
International Developments:
There is a growing trend worldwide to improve maternity support in professional sports. The World Players Association (WPA) has released a guide for maternity and parental policies, providing recommendations on pregnancy/prenatal care, parental leave, return to play, childcare, and women's health. Further, FIFA, FIFPRO, and various sports associations are advocating for maternity rights. For example, the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) offers extensive parental benefits, and Nike has introduced a maternity policy for sponsored athletes.
These developments underline the increasing recognition of maternity protection policies in professional sports, fostering an inclusive environment for female athletes.
- Recognizing the changing realities of athletes, TSG Hoffenheim's decision to extend contracts for pregnant players is a groundbreaking step towards reconciling professional sports and family life, marking a significant move in the global trend of improving maternity support in professional football.
- In line with international initiatives, the World Players Association (WPA) has released a guide for maternity and parental policies, offering recommendations that cover pregnancy/prenatal care, parental leave, return to play, childcare, and women's health.
- This move by TSG Hoffenheim echoes efforts by other sports associations and leagues, such as FIFA, FIFPRO, the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), and AC Milan in Italy, which have advocated for maternity rights and implemented supportive measures for pregnant athletes.
- The growing awareness and implementation of maternity protection policies in various sports fosters an inclusive environment for female athletes, as exemplified by Nike's introduction of a maternity policy for sponsored athletes.
- Praise for TSG's new regulation has been expressed by former national goalkeeper and Olympic champion Almuth Schult, who, as a mother, sees the significance in the security and support provided for female footballers.
