There is no denying there remains a way to go before elite sportswomen can pursue their dreams with the professionalism their male counterparts possibly take for granted.

But 2017 can certainly be looked upon as one where strong foundations were laid.

A domino effect was seen as several sports, one-by-one, offered players improved conditions and the collective result was nothing short of ground-breaking.

After a long and well-publicised pay dispute between Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers’ Association, the biggest pay rise in the history of women’s sport was announced. It involved an increase for international women cricketers from $40,000 to $72,076.

There was also increased average pay for domestic female cricketers from $22,000 to $52,000 for national league and Big Bash commitments. 

Other codes may not yet be paying their women the same level of money but there is plenty to be encouraged by.

Hannah Brewer has played in the W-League since it began in 2008.

The 24-year-old returned to Newcastle this season as Football Federation Australia announced a landmark agreement for W-League players which included a minimum wage of $10,000.

It meant an increased average pay from $6909 to $15,500.

“When I started we were signing contracts that didn’t even cover petrol,” Brewer said at the time. “It’s what we deserved from the start and it’s an exciting time to still be around.”

Football boots and runners were also provided in the agreement.

There were watershed moments in the Jets camp, where for the first time players were provided their own change room, training base and suits to wear on game day.

Major sponsors jumped on board and all but one of their home games was scheduled for McDonald Jones Stadium.

Matildas legend Cheryl Salisbury summed it up best on the eve of the W-League kick-off, saying: “I wish I could still be playing.”

In her era, not so long ago, female players did not have their own change rooms and instead changed on the bus after games.

Jets captain and Matildas player Emily van Egmond said new pay conditions were “a breakthrough” which translated to better on-field performances.

“There have been a few different things this year that have been really good and puts us in good stead for next year,” van Egmond said.

“Girls not having to worry about work from nine until five and then race to training, it’s a huge boost for the individual athletes, especially when it comes to the games on the weekend because that can be extremely taxing on anybody and I think the level of competitiveness will rise within that.”

The improvement in W-League conditions came after netball, cricket and AFL had all made inroads for their female players.

Australian netball legend Liz Ellis’ 2003 contract comprised a $3500 sign-on fee, maximum match payment of $130 and strapping tape, limited to 30 rolls for the season. At the time she was arguably the best player in the world.

In the same era, limited budgets meant the manager of the Hunter Jaegers pre-cooked players’ meals for away trips. 

When Super Netball was launched this year, the average salary had risen to $67,500 for a squad of 10 players and the minimum went from $13,250 to $27,375.

Newcastle’s Sam Poolman is one of a host of elite players still working to complement her playing contract but revelled with the improved conditions and was a stand-out for GWS Giants.

The story Boot and all: players stride ahead in 2017 first appeared on The Newcastle Herald