Consultation Held on Draft Legislation Regarding Pregnant Women's Protection
IPSEN, GERMANY — TSG Hoffenheim and SGS Essen have taken significant strides in supporting pregnant professional female footballers, with TSG Hoffenheim announcing a pioneering contract extension policy for its players.
Ilka Pedersen, now a stalwart of SGS Essen, joined the club nearly 15 years ago with aspirations of playing in the Women's Bundesliga and competing for the national team. However, her career took an unexpected turn when she became pregnant during her debut season and decided to focus on family planning. Since then, the conversation around pregnancy and career in women's football has evolved, but remains a sensitive topic, especially when personal life decisions and professional commitments intersect.
The Norwegian Football Association has taken a forward-thinking approach, ensuring that pregnant players in the top league automatically receive a one-year contract extension with the same terms and salary. This measure helps players balance their passion for football and their personal lives without fear of compromising their careers.
Inspired by this initiative, TSG Hoffenheim has followed suit. The club, headquartered in Baden-Württemberg, will allow players to unilaterally extend their contracts by a year in the event of pregnancy, maintaining at least equal financial conditions. This policy will take effect from the 2025/2026 season, offering players financial security should they choose to start a family during their active careers.
Ralf Zwanziger, head of women's and girls' football at TSG, praised the move, emphasizing the club's commitment to providing the best possible educational, professional, and personal development opportunities for its players. Former national player Almuth Schult, a member of the 'Football kann mehr' initiative, praised the decision, expressing hope that other clubs will follow TSG's lead.
SGS Essen, while supportive of the move, maintains a nuanced perspective. Manager Florian Zeutschler welcomed the innovation but highlighted the importance of open communication between the player and the club. SGS Essen already approaches family planning discussions with players as part of their contract negotiations.
While the Norwegian model may not have significantly benefited Pedersen during her time with SGS Essen, the financial aspect was minimal at the time. The focus, instead, was on providing reimbursement rather than a salary.
As European leagues continue to grapple with inconsistent policies regarding contract extensions for pregnant players, TSG Hoffenheim's innovative approach marks an important step in promoting balance between professional ambition and family planning for female footballers.
In the spirit of providing comprehensive support for women footballers, SGS Essen's progressive approach to family planning discussions during contract negotiations sets an impressive precedent. As European sports continue to explore ways to harmonize policies for pregnant athletes, TSG Hoffenheim's introduced contract extension policy for players, effective from the 2025/2026 season, promises a new dimension in sports-analysis, championing balance between professional ambition and family planning.
