by Guest » Yesterday, 20:48
New collum in the AD by Vivianne Miedema
https://www.ad.nl/nederlands-voetbal/co ... 9889a47d50
Translated by google
When I made my debut for Heerenveen as a 15-year-old, I was not allowed to sign my first contract myself because of that age. My parents did that then. That was only an expense allowance. I was lucky that my brother Lars then played in the Heerenveen youth academy. For example, I could often drive along with the van that picked up youth players at home. I also didn't earn anything at that time. The facilities were few. A gym? We had never heard of that before.
At the age of 17, I signed a contract with Bayern Munich. That was going to look like professional football, twice a week we could go to the gym there. Then I had enough income to focus on football, but I had nothing left to save, for example. It was slightly above the minimum wage. If I had three days off and I wanted to go to the Netherlands, I was looking for cheap airline tickets.
After winning the European Championships in 2017, I went to Arsenal, where we are now equal to the men in terms of facilities. I didn't earn tons there, but I could live easier for the first time. I have now extended my contract with Arsenal a few times and I have a generous income. Not only because of my salary at the club, but also because of sponsor deals. It is sometimes thought that all women playing football in England earn a lot, but that is really a misconception. The difference between the highest paid players and the lower paid players is still very big here with us in England. No player in the world is currently earning a million. And the girls who have half a million salaries are also scarce.
I realize very well that I can't complain and also feel the responsibility to stand up for other girls. That's why I support last weekend's action in the premier league for a better collective agreement. But it's about more than money alone. In such a collective agreement, for example, players must also be financially protected if they are seriously injured or become pregnant.
In 2018 I experienced the professionalization of the English league myself. Clubs were required to provide medical and mental assistance to the players. We went to play in stadiums instead of on an amateur field for ten chickens and a cow. My point is: we can talk about a bag of money, but first start by making the Dutch competition stronger and more attractive.
New collum in the AD by Vivianne Miedema
[url]https://www.ad.nl/nederlands-voetbal/column-vivianne-miedema-het-gaat-niet-alleen-om-een-pot-geld-maak-de-competitie-volwaardig~a242a6ee/?fbclid=PAAaaeUWvtW1gAZIC_OElmT15pz6xarK6kbvayH1P2xObUhy8NnYGE9VxpqqE_aem_ASTmL0WhSD66h2qLD8Q04sFMls1tYKnyXEpxPr4HYBJLxr6SqZeIVNu3isN7sQorJcA&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fl.instagram.com%2F&auth_rd=1&auth_rd=1&cb=c4aaed915f020548cb3be49889a47d50[/url]
Translated by google
When I made my debut for Heerenveen as a 15-year-old, I was not allowed to sign my first contract myself because of that age. My parents did that then. That was only an expense allowance. I was lucky that my brother Lars then played in the Heerenveen youth academy. For example, I could often drive along with the van that picked up youth players at home. I also didn't earn anything at that time. The facilities were few. A gym? We had never heard of that before.
At the age of 17, I signed a contract with Bayern Munich. That was going to look like professional football, twice a week we could go to the gym there. Then I had enough income to focus on football, but I had nothing left to save, for example. It was slightly above the minimum wage. If I had three days off and I wanted to go to the Netherlands, I was looking for cheap airline tickets.
After winning the European Championships in 2017, I went to Arsenal, where we are now equal to the men in terms of facilities. I didn't earn tons there, but I could live easier for the first time. I have now extended my contract with Arsenal a few times and I have a generous income. Not only because of my salary at the club, but also because of sponsor deals. It is sometimes thought that all women playing football in England earn a lot, but that is really a misconception. The difference between the highest paid players and the lower paid players is still very big here with us in England. No player in the world is currently earning a million. And the girls who have half a million salaries are also scarce.
I realize very well that I can't complain and also feel the responsibility to stand up for other girls. That's why I support last weekend's action in the premier league for a better collective agreement. But it's about more than money alone. In such a collective agreement, for example, players must also be financially protected if they are seriously injured or become pregnant.
In 2018 I experienced the professionalization of the English league myself. Clubs were required to provide medical and mental assistance to the players. We went to play in stadiums instead of on an amateur field for ten chickens and a cow. My point is: we can talk about a bag of money, but first start by making the Dutch competition stronger and more attractive.