Cascade Ladies face demotion after refusal of FAW Tier 1 Licence
28/03/2021 - Cascade Ladies 0-2 Cardiff City © Richard Poynter
Cascade Ladies face a demotion from the Welsh Premier Women’s League after failing to obtain the FAW Tier 1 Licence.
The club which currently occupies bottom spot in the league haven’t attained the licence from the First Instance Body.
They will now have ten days to mount an appeal or face a demotion from the top tier of Women’s football, through not possessing the required licence.
Traditional relegation will not take place this season due to the restructure of the Women’s pyramid.
The FAW instead are implementing an ‘open application’ process where any clubs can apply for a place in Tier 1 and Tier 2.
Clubs will present their development plans to the FAW before a decision is made on their placing in the system with 24 places available in the three leagues.
Barry Town United and The New Saints are two clubs that don’t currently occupy a top-flight spot but have stated their intentions to join the league. Caldicot Town, Cardiff Bluebelles, and Merthyr Town were also unsuccessful in their application.
Meanwhile, Four WPWL clubs have been granted the UEFA Licence which would allow them to compete in the 2021/22 Champions League.
League leaders Swansea City, who have won all nine matches, are one of the recipients, as well as their title rivals Cardiff Met, Cardiff City, and Cyncoed Ladies, who are due to be rebranded as Pontypridd Town.
Next season, the Welsh Premier Women’s League will revert to eight teams with two divisions of eight in the North and South, acting as feeder division.
Six teams have been successful in the South in their application, meanwhile, 12 have applied in the north and received their Licence.
Clubs are assessed on Coaching, Codes of Practice, Finance, Infrastructure, Legal, and Personnel by an independent body to the FAW.
FAW Tier 1 Licence:
- Abergavenny
- Aberystwyth Town
- Barry Town
- Briton Ferry Llansawel
- Cardiff City Women
- Cardiff Met
- Cyncoed (to be renamed Pontypridd Town)
- Port Talbot
- Swansea City
- The New Saints
UEFA Licence:
- Cardiff City Women
- Cardiff Met
- Cyncoed (to be renamed Pontypridd Town)
- Swansea City
FAW Tier 2 Licence:
- Aberdare Town
- Airbus UK Broughton
- Amlwch Town
- Baglan BG Junior
- Bethel
- Coed Duon Welfare
- Colwyn Bay
- Connah’s Quay Nomads
- Denbigh Town
- FC Talycopa
- Llandudno
- Llanfair United
- Llansytumdwy
- North Football Association
- Pontardawe Town
- Pwllheli
- Swansea University
- Wrexham
(Featured Image: Richard Poynter)
