Welsh domestic football season to start earlier to combat a third wave
Port Talbot, Wales, UK. 12th Dec, 2020. Port Talbot Town v Cambrian & Clydach Vale at Victoria Road in the Nathanial MG Cup on the 12th December 2020 Credit: Lewis Mitchell/YCPD
The Football Association of Wales have implemented an early start for the 2021/22 season.
Welsh football bosses met earlier this week to discuss plans for next season and have decided to introduce an earlier start to the season.
They have decided as part of the Welsh Government’s Coronavirus Control Plan to start earlier to maximise ‘playing opportunities’ in the event of a third wave.
The move coincides with the National Cup Board’s decision to play their tournaments earlier.
This season was decimated due to the COVID-19 pandemic which saw just the Cymru Premier and Welsh Premier Women’s League play to a conclusion.
This season’s Welsh Cup was curtailed, as was the 19/20 edition, which reached the semi-final stage.
Clubs at tier two of the Welsh pyramid system had been granted ‘elite’ status like their top-flight counterparts but weren’t granted it after the second wave of Coronavirus in Wales.
Another key decision made by the FAW was to waive player registration fees. Players registered through COMET who paid registration fees for the past season will not be required to pay if they remain with the same club.
Competition Start Dates
JD Cymru Premier: TBC
Women’s Tier 1: 4/5 September
JD Cymru North / South: 24 July
Nathaniel MG Cup: 17 July (Tier 2 & Wildcard Entries)
Ardal Leagues: 31 July
FAW Development League: TBC
FAW Reserve Leagues: 31 July
FAW Youth Leagues: TBC
FAW Academy Leagues: 18 July
JD Welsh Cup: QR1 – Saturday, 10 July 2021
FAW Amateur Trophy: R1 – Saturday, 17 July 2021
