Barry Town United and New Saints admitted to the top flight of Women's football

Barry Town United and New Saints admitted to the top flight of Women’s football

Barry Town United and The New Saints have been admitted to Tier One of the Football Association of Wales’ new Women’s pyramid structure.

They will join Aberystwyth Town, Cardiff City Women, Cardiff Met, Pontypridd Town, Port Talbot Town and Swansea City in the eight-team league.

As a result, Abergavenny Women, Briton Ferry Llansawel Ladies and Cascade Ladies have been demoted to the second tier.

Abergavenny Women finished fourth in this season’s Welsh Premier Women’s League, with Briton Ferry and Cascade in seventh and eighth respectively.

They will be replaced by Barry Town United, whose U16’s side recently won the FAW Girls Cup, along with a newly-formed The New Saints.

The Saints split from their parent club last year to become Wem Town LFC, but head into Wales’ top flight as a new club.

A total of 37 clubs applied for the 24 places in the new system, were part of a year-long process that saw the FAW assess them on Sporting, Financial Sustainability, and Human Resources, placing them in the respective three divisions.

A new U19s league in the north and south Wales has also been formed amongst the plans, as well as a reformatted League Cup, that will include all 24 teams.

Commenting on the restructuring of the system, Lowri Roberts, FAW’s Head of Women’s Football, said: “It’s been inspiring to see the level of work clubs have put into their application.

“We’ve seen a real shift in mindset from the clubs in how they are developing elite environments for players and how they are building for a sustainable future.

“Through implementing an open application process for entry into the new leagues, a club’s place was not solely down to sporting merit but also robust club structures. It has made clubs review their entire structure, playing pathways, and the provision they provide players.

“As a result, all clubs will be collectively striving to continuously improve standards in a competitive environment.”

Andrew Howard, FAW Head of Competitions, added: “Throughout this process, we have seen clubs securing significant investment into their women’s programs and strong commitments in terms of resources being made available within the clubs, from appointing full-time staff to long term partnership agreements.

“Clubs should be very proud of what they have achieved off the field over the last year and we look forward to this exciting new chapter for women’s domestic football in Wales.”

List of clubs admitted to FAW’s Tier One League: