FAW to apply for elite status for Cymru North and South to Sport Wales – reports

The Football Association of Wales is to apply to Sport Wales about granting the Cymru North and South ‘elite status.

Currently, only the Cymru Premier and Welsh Premier Women’s League is allowed to be played. 

From Monday, 9 November, all Welsh clubs will be allowed to participate in friendlies, however a maximum of 30 will still apply.

Reported first by the Rhyl Journal, they say that the FAW are in the process of asking Sport Wales to add their second tier to the ‘elite’ list with most clubs being of a semi-professional background.

The application process could take up to a fortnight and firstly clubs would need a pre-season schedule before taking part in competitive matches.

Both the Cymru North and South could still run on a normal 30 game basis, however, some fixtures may have to be played in midweek. 

The move to include the Cymru Leagues comes after Sport Wales were given permission to consider more sports for their ‘elite’ programme by the Welsh Government.

In a statement on their website, it reads: “Sport Wales has also been given responsibility to consider further additions to the elite designation to enable more team sports to be played outdoors where the 30 person gathering number has been restrictive. 

“This will be done in a controlled and phased way where clear guidance is in place by sport governing bodies to protect all participants. This work will be carried out as soon as possible with representatives of the sport sector.”

(Featured Image: Darren Griffiths)