Jay Sadler opens up on challenge faced by Portsmouth Women turning professional
Portsmouth Women boss Jay Sadler admits “everything” has been a challenge for the side in their move from semi-professional to full-time.
Sadler joined several fellow key Pompey figures such as John Mousinho and Andy Cullen on the panel at the club’s official summer fans’ forum, which was broadcast on BBC Radio Solent [5 August].
The women’s team have moved from amateur to semi-pro and finally professional in the space of just over 12 months, following investment from the ownership and a superb National League champions season in 2023-24.
“Everything has been a challenge, certainly,” Sadler responded to a supporter question.
“We’ve had to change of course how we operate and how we do things, like going from one full-time member of staff to 10; like our part-time players changing their lives to become full-time.
“The women’s game is growing year on year, which we are aligning with.”
Portsmouth Women begin season in September
The Valley may not have been a happy hunting ground for Mousinho’s men’s team last weekend in the final game of their pre-season schedule.
But the home of Charlton Athletic is where Portsmouth Women will kick off their inaugural Championship campaign on 8 September.
The rapid progression means Sadler, his staff and his players have already and will face bumps in the road in acclimatising to the professional game, but everything appears to be in the right place.
Signings have arrived in abundance, after the foremost objective was achieved of tying down existing squad members to full-time contracts – some easier said than done with other job commitments until this summer.
It’s an exciting time to be a Pompey Women fan as well as for the men’s team, and the challenge will be stern but an excellent test this season.
In other Portsmouth news, there is a point to prove for new signing Andre Dozzell.
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