1 month ago
Plans to include 4 Women’s Super League academy sides successful nan 3rd tier of pyramid from 2027 person been criticised arsenic an thought based astir “repackaged B teams” and has received a mixed guidance from nine unit and supporters.
The changes to nan Women’s National League, put guardant by nan Football Association, would besides present a mid-season divided akin to that utilized successful Scotland, arsenic good arsenic a imaginable finance package of astir £1m and enhancements to ineligible and aesculapian support successful nan indebtedness system. They person not yet been formally ratified, but consultations are continuing.
The proposals travel conscionable complete a twelvemonth aft nan FA decided not to property up pinch a erstwhile description scheme that would person led to B teams from WSL clubs being introduced into tier 4 from adjacent season. That thought drew support from nether 55% of 144 clubs surveyed,
The Wolves Women caput coach, Daniel McNamara, whose broadside are 2nd successful nan National League Northern Premier Division, said nan latest ideas were “odd”, while Lee Burch, caput coach of Rugby Borough, who beryllium 1 spot beneath Wolves, said connected societal media: “So galore issues. Best players astatine those 4 PGA will still get loaned into WSL/[WSL2] etc. Injury consequence to those young players besides going to beryllium very high. Unfortunately [it] will happen, FA [has] been pushing for years.”
Keehlan Panayiotou, adjunct coach astatine nan third-tier nine Gwalia United, and formerly a coach astatine Bristol City’s girls academy, wrote: “The worst thought successful FAWNL is rehashed, repackaged and tried again. No B Teams successful nan Pyramid. Use nan indebtedness and dual registration strategy which isn’t being efficaciously utilized enough. U21s successful nan pyramid won’t supply that First Team situation that Tier 3 and 4 sides will.”
Ian Chiverton, nan chair of Portsmouth’s supporters club, described nan proposals arsenic an “awful idea”, accusing nan authorities of “pandering to nan WSL teams”, while Danny Taylor, nan adjunct head of nan North West location convention broadside Mancunian Unity called nan thought an “absolute disgrace”.
Not each guidance has been negative, however. “Brilliant idea, successful principle,” wrote Arsenal Women’s under-21 coach, David Pipe. “I dream nan execution and outcomes are arsenic as exciting.” Sources adjacent to respective WSL clubs person said nan thought is welcomed by a batch of top-tier teams.
An FA spokesperson said connected Tuesday: “We are exploring a scope of initiatives to thrust continued improvements crossed nan Women’s National League. Our privilege is to guarantee nan women’s shot pyramid successful England continues to turn successful a sustainable way, improving nan quality, professionalism and competitiveness of nan Women’s National League.”
