The top tier of English women's football "will be only for full-time clubs" from '18-19 after proposed changes to Women's Super League licenses were approved by the FA, according to the BBC. All clubs must re-apply for their places, while new teams could earn licenses to "join the top tier that will have between eight and 14 teams." Top-flight clubs "will be required to run an academy under the new criteria." The FA is "also looking into how the new leagues could be rebranded." The FA said in a statement that the restructure was aimed at creating a "stronger commercial model" and to "improve the performance of the women's game on and off the pitch." FA Head of Women's Leagues & Competitions Katie Brazier said, "The changes will continue our journey to transform key elements of the women's game." The changes "will see between eight and 14 teams with full-time professional players in the WSL," depending on how many clubs successfully meet the application criteria, which include:
- A minimum of 16 contact hours per week for players, rising to 20 hours per week by '20-21.
- A "minimum level of financial investment required by each club."
- Financial Fair Play regulations and a squad cap.
- An academy at each club, "compulsory" as part of the license (BBC, 9/27).
MAJOR STEP: ITV reported with the women's game "still a largely part-time sport in most leading football nations, there is no disputing how big a step this would be" for English women's football, particularly as it is "about to replace netball as the most popular team sport for girls." The current WSL was set up in '11 and a second tier, WSL 2, was added in '14. Brazier: "Providing an elite performance environment will produce more and better players, increase the interest and excitement via more competitive leagues, attract a greater number of fans and, in turn, deliver improved commercial viability for clubs and the leagues." The deadline for the 20 existing WSL clubs to apply for a place in the two new leagues is Nov. 10. Clubs from outside the current WSL can apply for the remaining places in March (
ITV, 9/27). In London, Alyson Rudd reported the "ambitious plan" could cause a "radical change in the landscape of the game as new clubs with funding oust established but poorer clubs into a lower division." There are only five full-time professional clubs -- Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Everton and Man City -- "but this leads to often one-sided fixtures that hamper the sport’s attraction to new fans." Not "every top-tier club can find the money needed, however." Yeovil Town Ladies GM Trevor Jenkins said that the club wants to comply with the new rules but faces an "uphill battle to do so." He said, "It's going to be tough. Unless we can find £350,000 ($469,300) we are going to struggle" (
LONDON TIMES, 9/27).
