Chelsea FC Women unveils enhanced maternity policy

Chelsea FC Women has announced a new family-friendly player care framework, headlined by an enhanced Player Maternity Policy offering fully paid leave and dedicated return-to-play medical support.

The policy provides personalised support throughout pregnancy, including access to private scans and delivery options, as well as post-partum recovery care covering physical, mental and emotional health, led by the club's medical staff.

Financial support is also included for a partner or nanny to travel to away fixtures up to one year after a player returns from maternity leave. The framework additionally covers enhanced adoption and parental leave policies and subsidised childcare costs during rehabilitation and training.

The new measures follow Chelsea FC Women's recently announced partnership with Fertility Plus, which established a Player Value in Kind Fund to support players exploring fertility and family-building options.

Aki Mandhar, Chief Executive Officer for Chelsea FC Women, said: "There is no single path to becoming a parent, and our responsibility is to ensure our players have access to the support, security and care they deserve, whatever their individual journey looks like."

Phil Radley, Sporting Director for Chelsea FC Women, added: "We are proud of the progress we are making, but we are never done looking for ways to do more. Our ambition is to build the best women's sports organisation in the world; one that truly values its players and gives them everything they need to thrive – both as athletes and as people."

Chelsea FC Women have also recently moved all their Barclays Women's Super League home matches to Stamford Bridge as part of a broader push to raise standards across the club.