Norwich women's side to pay players in 'landmark moment'

Flo Allen, 25, took over at Norwich in 2022

Norwich City's women's side has announced they will begin to pay some of their players.

A small number of the squad will be offered contracts, with compensation also aiding wider recruitment.

Head of women's football Flo Allen says it is a "landmark moment" for the club, which is "one step away" from turning professional.

"It is super exciting," Allen told BBC Radio Norfolk.

"This is a really progressive football club. It really wants to make strides in the women's game and is a brilliant place to be.

"We can attract players from further afield with not only contracted terms but also the environment we're creating and the whole package for them to develop as a player. This is the next stage of the journey."

Allen says while the club would like to keep all the players on an equal footing by paying everyone, this is the first stage of a bigger plan.

"We have promised the existing group that every player will be better off next year, whether that is paying medical insurance, their playing incentive schemes.

"We have to make organic steps. There will be difficult conversations over the next few weeks. If a player isn't offered contracted terms on day one, there is nothing to say that they won't be in three, six, nine or 12 months' time. The reward is on offer."

The Canaries have finished second in Division One South East, the fourth tier, in the last two seasons. Allen is targeting a rise up the pyramid.

"Next year we will be hunting top spot; the margins are so small," she added. "We've grown and developed the emphasis of women's football here, changing the training model.

"In three years since I've been here, we've gone from the team training on half a pitch once a week. Next season they will be training three nights a week plus a day session for our contracted players, which is as close to professional as we can get."