While the other major leagues in Europe are up and running, managers, players and fans have had to wait until October for England’s top flight to return.
The start comes days after an international break for the start of the Women’s Nations League, and just six weeks after the World Cup final.
Leicester manager Willie Kirk expressed his irritation at having preparations for the opening day disrupted by international games. “It’s a pain in the backside – I hate the international window,” he said.
“I was a little bit frustrated we didn’t start before the Nations League. I think every major league in Europe did apart from us. I don’t know why we are any different.”
Villa’s Ward shares that frustration with international breaks, but did not want the league to start earlier as she feels too much is being asked of players.
“You’ll probably not find anyone that moans more about international breaks more than me. If we’re talking about player welfare, we have to do something.
“We forget that they’re people and we have to start looking after them physically, mentally, emotionally.”
But former England striker Ellen White believes that having lots of tired players could result in a more interesting league.
“There is going to be a lot of tiredness, a lot of fatigue,” she said. “It’s going to come into it maybe that first month or two – hopefully the results will be a bit crazy! That’s what I want.”