Twelve North Wales women’s football clubs in contention for Tier 2 status

Twelve North Wales women’s football teams have passed the first phase of requirements to compete in Tier 2 of the new-look Welsh pyramid next season.

A second phase of scrutiny will determine which eight of the 12 will make up Tier 2 North in 2021-22.

The dozen teams successful in phase one are:

Airbus UK Broughton
Amlwch Town
Bethel
Colwyn Bay
Connah’s Quay Nomads
Denbigh Town
Llandudno
Llanfair United
Llanystumdwy
North Football Association
Pwllheli
Wrexham

Clwb Pel Droed Merched Bangor and Northop Hall Girls Junior FC withdrew their Tier 2 applications.

The FAW announced today that for the second year clubs wishing to compete in Tier 1 (Cymru Premier Women’s League) have undergone the licensing process, while a Tier 2 Licence was introduced for the first time.

In addition, clubs wishing to be the Welsh representative in the UEFA Women’s Champions League must also achieve the UEFA Licence.

The First Instance Body (FIB), who met to discuss licence applications, comprised two legal experts and a women’s football specialist.

The Panel gathered to consider a total of 34 clubs, of which 10 of the 14 applications for a Tier 1 Licence have been successful, with 4 also received a UEFA Licence.

A further 18 clubs, including the 12 from the north mentioned above, were awarded a Tier 2 Licence.

Clubs are assessed on the following criteria:
Sporting: Youth & Coaching
Infrastructure
Legal
Personnel
Financial and
Codes of Practice

For the 2021/22 season, as part of the restructure of the Women’s pyramid, the FAW are implementing an ‘open application’ process, whereby clubs at any level could apply to be in Tier 1 or Tier 2.

The format, to be used for this year only, requires clubs to achieve the relevant licence in ‘Phase 1’ before being invited to present Club Development Plans in ‘Phase 2’ where the final decisions of the make-up of Tier 1, Tier 2 North and South shall be confirmed.

Following today’s meeting, the independent FIB Panel has decided on the following:

UEFA Licence for 2021/22 Season (4 clubs)
Cardiff City Women
Cardiff Met
Cyncoed (to be renamed Pontypridd Town)
Swansea City

FAW Tier 1 Licence for 2021/22 Season (10 clubs)
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

FAW Tier 2 Licence for 2021/22 Season (18 clubs)

North
Airbus UK Broughton
Amlwch Town
Bethel
Colwyn Bay
Connah’s Quay Nomads
Denbigh Town
Llandudno
Llanfair United
Llanystumdwy
North Football Association
Pwllheli
Wrexham

South
Aberdare Town
Baglan BG Junior
Coed Duon Welfare
FC Talycopa
Pontardawe Town
Swansea University

Refused FAW Tier 1 Licence for 2021/22 Season (4 clubs)
Caldicot Town
Cardiff Bluebelles
Cascade YC
Merthyr Town

Refused FAW Tier 2 Licence for 2021/22 Season (2 clubs)
Aberaman
Cwmbran Celtic

FAW Tier 2 Withdrawn Applications (3 clubs)
Clwb Pel Droed Merched Bangor
Dafen Welfare FC
Northop Hall Girls Junior FC

In Phase 2, clubs will present their development plans to a panel of experts where the final 8 teams for Tier 1, Tier 2 North and Tier 2 South will be selected.

Those clubs who have been refused a Licence by the First Instance Body, have ten days in which to submit an appeal.

The Appeals Panel, if required, is scheduled to sit on 22 April.

As for the rest of the North Wales women’s teams not involved in the Tier 2 process, they are expected to join a local league next season organised by area associations.

These could include: CPDM Bangor 1876, Caernarfon Town, Corwen, Holywell Town, Northop Hall, CPD Y Rhyl 1876 and Penrhyn Bay, although confirmation some of those clubs will run a senior women’s team next season is not yet received.

Four of the 12 teams from the north which do not make the cut for Tier 2 are also likely to compete at the lower level in 2021-22.