Head of women’s football in Wales sees a bright future for the north

The head of women’s football in Wales believes the game in the north can look forward to a bright future.

Lowri Roberts was speaking after the FAW revealed some of its latest developments to boost girls’ football across the country.

Plans include, from next season, North and South Wales U14 and U16 girls’ regional squads competing against elite boys, as the FAW Trust Girls’ Academy, in the Cymru Licensed Academy Games Programme.

Football associations across Europe report that exposure to mixed gender playing opportunities has improved their most talented girls.

And it was announced recently that all 12 North Wales clubs which had applied for Tier 2 status in the new women’s football pyramid next season had been successful.

Eight teams will make the final cut for the Tier 2 North division.

Clubs will also be encouraged to enter teams in the newly-formed national Under-19 Development League.

Lowri said: “We are having very good conversations with clubs up in the north as part of the re-structure, and although it won’t happen overnight, the introduction of Tier 2 will better support north clubs to step up into Tier 1.

“We have appointed Grace Williams as our tier 2 and U19’s club and league development manager and she will be a new support to the clubs in the north and is already helping them with their development plans.

“We also have our new girls participation manager starting end of the month and she will be based in North Wales which is fantastic.”

Some of the northern stars of the future were in a Wales Under-15 national training camp in Colliers Park, Wrexham, this week.

Lowri added: “There are some brilliant young players from the north coming though and the new regional academy will help them immensely. Many of them were in the U15s national training camp yesterday (Wednesday).”