Last October , several Lewes FC Board members spoke passionately about wanting to pursue a policy of gender equality pay for their senior teams . This created a huge amount of debate and interest from the media at the time .
Since the elections there have been very few public updates on the plan . However , a great deal of effort has been spent on making pay parity a reality for Lewes Football Club . The club has sought opinion , counsel and of course funding options with hundreds of people . Many high-profile individuals and firms have kindly donated time , advice , comment and resources . So , what does this mean ?
In its most basic form it means both the men ’ s and women ’ s first teams will have equal playing budgets for at least the next three seasons . That ’ s the timeline the club have set for themselves to create a completely self-sustaining model that delivers both success for every Lewes Football Club team on the field and financial prosperity off it .
This is a three-year plan with funding
in place to meet pay parity . The club has incurred no financial liabilities in making this happen . At the end of the 2019 / 20 season we will assess the long-term viability of the plan . Lewes FC strongly believe the bold move will be transformational and that by 2020 the world will be a different , more genderequal place .
In the budgeting and forecasting process for this forthcoming season the Lewes FC board committed to two clear and related objectives . Firstly , to deliver a cost-neutral budget that protected the playing budget for Darren ’ s side and secondly , to secure funding for John Donoghue ’ s Women ’ s side to an equal amount , both objectives have been met .
The club continues to engage with potential commercial partners who have expressed an interest in being part of the future of the club . Now that they have achieved their initial objective of pay parity , additional funds raised will be split equally between the two senior sides . Fund raising will continue for the 12th Man and 12th Woman Funds at the disposal of both Darren and John respectively at their discretion . Last season we saw the difference those contributions from made , helping to secure key players for both sides .
Both senior sides will sport the same EqualityFC logo on the home shirts this season . The club passionately believes this is a ground-breaking step in the history of football and they are proud to be a true equality pioneer .
There is a clear understanding of what a competitive budget looks like for both our senior sides . Darren takes huge credit for getting the Men ’ s team so close to the Playoffs last season , despite some clubs having a clear financial advantage . The Women compete fiercely in the Women ’ s Premier League , winning the 2017 National Plate competition , against teams with far greater resources . We are determined to give both senior teams the chance to compete and succeed at the highest level possible .
This plan is not just a feel-good measure . The club wants sporting success as well as sustainable , supportive and ethical growth . Access to more funds will help John and Darren achieve their goals . It ’ s not an open cheque for either side , though the aim is clearly to improve resources for both teams . Remember , funding for parity has been achieved without impact on playing budgets .
By Lewes Football Club
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