The path to reaching the elite level in women’s football is fiercely competitive, and filled with obstacles for young players aspiring to become professionals in the WSL.
It’s a reality 19-year-old Alex Hennessy knows all too well as she progressed through the youth ranks at Arsenal, and represented the Lionesses at various youth levels from Under-15 to Under-19. In September 2021, aged just 16, she made her senior debut for the Gunners in a WSL clash against Reading, replacing Steph Catley for the final 12 minutes of a 4-0 win.
A few months later, Hennessy joined Crystal Palace on loan for the remainder of the 2021/22 season, and that was followed by a permanent move to West Ham United at the end of the campaign. Six months later, she joined Charlton Athletic in the Women’s Championship.
While it seemed Hennessy’s career was taking off, the harsh realities of life in the women’s game for young players was already starting to take its toll. Despite the perceived glamour associated with professional football, the financial rewards, especially for young players, are minimal.
“From an early age, I had quite a lot of first-team experience,” Hennessy told 90min. “But the difficulties were a lot to do with the cost of travelling to football, expenses and things like that.
“As a young player, you didn’t really get offered a contract until you were 18, and when I was at Arsenal with the first-team, I was having to come in three, four or more times a week. If my mum, dad or grandad weren’t around, I’d have to find ways to get to training myself.”
It was at that point the then-16-year-old began to consider options outside of playing, with the travel and financial burdens starting to weigh heavy. Yet, instead of it being the end of her journey in football – it was only the beginning.
“I love football and everything about football, so coaching seemed like the perfect fit,” Hennessy continued. “I’ve always played football and been around high-level coaches, having been in the system from a young age, so I always thought it was a career path that had potential.
“Initially, I started coaching alongside playing football, but what I’ve now built with Alextra Academy, it’s grown so quickly and it was impossible to do both [playing and coaching]. Building something up takes a lot of time and effort, as does playing professional football, especially when it’s not close to home.
“Travelling a…
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