The women's strike, which came after dissatisfaction with both financial conditions and respect from the federal leadership, is in full swing.

But in Denmark, positive news for the women's team came today. They have, for the first time, been awarded a national team agreement with the ice hockey association.

- We would like to send a signal that we give priority to the ladies. Now they have played themselves to a top ten place in the world, even though they have not had a deal. So it is reasonable that, just like the men, they get one, Henrik Bach Nielsen tells Danish TV2.

More requirements

The Danish women's national team, which has Luleå coach Fredrik Glader as the league captain, last season went up to the World Cup High Division. And with the new agreement there will also be more requirements, says Bach Nielsen, chairman of the union.

- The agreement gives a signal that we are also tightening the requirements. This means more requirements, more activities and more matches. We want it to become more professional and increase the number of activities, he says.

"Pat on the shoulder"

The agreement includes, among other things, agreements on daily remuneration and bonuses, among other things if they manage to remain in the top division and if they qualify for the Beijing 2022 Olympics.

And the agreement means a lot, believes Fredrik Glader.

- I think that means a lot. After a few years in women's hockey, I know how it works, having to take time off from work and so on. I think it is a great security for the players, but also a great motivation in that you have got through a bonus system, he tells SVT Sport.

- I think there are super important factors that can make us able to join and fight up there in the elite business, but also that you can extend the career of some players who can be role models for little girls who start playing ice hockey.

- Women's hockey is being lifted to a new level in Denmark.

"Incredibly positive"

Glader is impressed with how the Danish Confederation handles women's hockey.

- The year I have been in Denmark, I have experienced as incredibly positive, everyone is involved and contributes to the women's team. When we had a start-up in early August, the highest hen on the union was there and explained how important the girls are to the hockey association and Danish ice hockey, he says.

- There are many things that I feel that Denmark has done very well. They are going in the right direction. They are at the beginning of their journey and may not be able to compare themselves with sports with larger federations such as Sweden and Finland, but they are really passionate about these issues, you know that when you are there.

- This is a big hit on the shoulder for us players, and not least for Danish women's hockey. Hopefully it gives all players some extra motivation, and at the same time a kind of calm that allows us to focus on what we love most of all: And that is to play ice hockey and represent Denmark with pride, says Djurgården's Danish national team player Josefine Jakobsen.