<
>

Lewes make history by paying men's and women's teams same wages

Lewes have become the first club ever to pay their men's and women's teams the same wages.

Lewes' men's team play in England's eighth tier, the Isthmian League Division One South, while the women's side compete in the Premier League Southern Division, the third tier of the women's game.

The move comes as part of Lewes' "Equality FC" campaign, which is aiming to raise awareness of gender inequality in football and is being funded by the club, donors and sponsors.

"Lewes Football Club announces today it has become the first professional or semi-professional football club to pay its women's team the same as its men's team, as part of its Equality FC campaign," a Lewes statement read.

"This announcement comes as part of the launch of the club's campaign, Equality FC, to raise awareness about gender inequality in football. The campaign also aims to encourage more support for women's and girls' football across the UK and around the world.

"The first tranche of funding for the campaign has been approved by the Lewes FC board and has established pay parity between the two teams. The club will continue to raise funds to achieve these aims through donors and sponsors, as well as by encouraging more people to become owners of Lewes FC."

Lewes director Jacquie Agnew hopes other clubs across the country will follow in their footsteps.

"At Lewes FC we believe that there should be a level playing field for women in football," she said. "By committing to paying our women's and men's teams equally, and providing equal resource for coaching, training and facilities, we hope to spark a change across the UK that will help put an end to the excuses for why such a deep pay disparity has persisted in our sport.

"Together with our owners, donors and sponsors, Lewes FC can show that equal pay can be implemented to the benefit of both women and men in sport and beyond."