Michele Kang says London City Lionesses’ new training ground will set a new standard in women’s football

Michele Kang believes London City Lionesses’ planned training ground will set a new standard in the women’s game and surpass facilities used by the majority of men’s Premier League clubs.

Over the summer, Kang boosted the Women’s Super League side with significant investment in players, including the signing of two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Kang revealed a purpose-built training centre is expected to open within the next year.

She said: “We’re building a state-of-the-art training centre for our female athletes dedicated to them, built and designed for them, which will open in less than a year.

“Our architect, who has built several Premier League training centres told me that by the time the London City training centre is up and running, it would be better than with the majority of Premier League men’s teams training centres.”

Kang views investment in infrastructure as part of a wider remit to ensure female athletes are no longer treated differently from their male counterparts.

“How could you possibly accept the notion that your girls, your daughters, granddaughters, sisters are treated as second-class citizens where in the same sport the boys go to play as if it’s their birthright?”

She believes that for too long, women have been treated like “small men”.

“We have to take care of our female players better so that they can train, perform, and thrive as female athletes, not small men,” she said.

“You drive your boy to a state-of-the-art training centre and then, if you’re lucky enough to have a facility nearby, you drive your girl somewhere else. Why would you accept that?”

Kang is a strong advocate of independent women’s clubs and said that was one of the reasons she was attracted to London City Lionesses.

“My first entree into women’s football was Washington Spirit, in the United States, where two thirds of women’s teams are independent and not affiliated with men’s team. So to me, that’s a lot more normal.

“I wanted to show that there isn’t just one model that the women’s team has to be part of the men’s team, but an independent team, because I think at that time, London City and Durham, if I’m not mistaken, those are the two, women-only teams.

“I wanted to build a women-only team to show when you really devote all your attention and resources and energy into women’s only team, what’s possible.”