Thirty-seven clubs apply to be a part of FAW’s new Women’s football pyramid

A total of 37 clubs have applied to be a part of the FAW’s restructure of the Welsh women’s football pyramid.

The 2021/22 season will see a similar restructure to what we see in the Cymru Leagues with the FAW responsible for its top tier and two regionalised feeder divisions.

The Welsh Premier Women’s League which is running as nine teams this season, will be reduced to eight teams, with 15 clubs applying for Tier One status.

Tier Two consist of 16 teams with eight in each regionalised division.

All current WPWL teams have applied to retain their status, meanwhile Swansea University are hopeful of a second consecutive promotion. The New Saints are also hopeful of a straight path to the Women’s top flight as a newly formed club.

Clubs will now enter the Licensing Process with a set deadline of 26 March, which will then be assessed by the FAW. 

Successful Tier One applicants will be given £6k each which will be split across four years. Tier Two clubs will receive a one-off grant of £3k which will be given ahead of the 2021/22 campaign. 

Commenting on the restructuring, Lowri Roberts, Head of Women’s & Girls’ Football said: “It’s exciting to see so many clubs engage with this process and share our vision for the domestic game. 

“It’s incredibly important for the growth of the game that this process is competitive in order to release the potential of our ambitious clubs to not only improve themselves on and off the pitch, but to also assist in driving forward the development of the female provision across Wales.” 

Tier 1 (15 applicants)

• Abergavenny 
• Aberystwyth Town
• Barry Town United
• Briton Ferry Llansawel 
• Caldicot Town
• Cardiff Bluebelles
• Cardiff City
• Cardiff Met
• Cascade YC
• Cyncoed 
• Merthyr Town
• Port Talbot 
• Swansea City 
• Swansea University 
• The New Saints 

Tier 2 South (8 Applicants) 

• Aberdare Town
• Aberaman 
• Baglan BG Junior
• Coed Duon Welfare
• Cwmbran Celtic
• Dafen Welfare 
• FC Talycopa 
• Pontardawe Town

Tier 2 North (14 applicants)

• Airbus UK Broughton
• Amlwch Town
• Bangor 1876
• Bethel 
• Colwyn Bay
• Connah’s Quay Nomads 
• Denbigh Town
• Llandudno 
• Llanfair United
• Llanystumdwy
• North Football Association 
• Northop Hall
• Pwllheli 
• Wrexham 

(Featured Image: Carl Robertson)