New Zealand Football has announced that its elite female players will receive the same pay and privileges as its male players.
Buzzfeed News reported Tuesday that the women’s team The Football Ferns and the men’s team The All Whites came together to push for the equal opportunity.
New Zealand Football chief executive Andy Martin said their collective bargaining agreement has been finalized.
{mosads} “[The Football Ferns] are role models for the 30,000 female players throughout our country,” Martin said. “It is important to recognize their contribution and form a revised agreement.
Martin said it is “an exciting time for football in this country.”
In addition to equal pay, the landmark deal will also ensure that female footballers receive the same share of prize money , same rights for image use and same business-class travel as men, Buzzfeed News reported.
The Football Ferns are ranked 20th in the FIFA women’s world rankings. The All White are ranked 133rd among the men.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern celebrated the announcement on Instagram.
“Good on you New Zealand Football,” she posted on Monday.