Big blow for two North Wales clubs’ hopes of developing future talent

Two North Wales clubs have been refused academy licences for the 2023-24 season.

Llandudno and Cefn Druids do not meet new criteria set by the Football Association of Wales.

However, Connah’s Quay Nomads meet the highest standard of excellence achieved by any club in the north.

Following a review into the National Academy structure, a categorisation model has been implemented across the FAW Licensed Academies for the 2023/24 season.

All clubs have had to deliver against quality assured criteria in both business and sporting facets, and uphold competitive integrity throughout in order to be reclassified into one of three Categories:

Category A – deemed to offer the outstanding level of quality provision
Category B – deemed to offer high-quality developmental environment and full Academy pathway
Category C – deemed to offer a high-quality developmental environment but limited to a narrower number of Academy age groups

The Football Association of Wales say they remain committed to improvements in the National Academy structure and will be allocating funding to support the Licensed Academies according to their Category status.

In addition, the FAW will continue to deliver representative team experiences and diverse games programme offerings for the domestic talented player pool.

Twenty-five clubs have been aspiring towards Categorisation during the 2022/23 season and offers have been allocated as follows:

FAW Licensed Academies – 2023/24

Category A offers:

Connah’s Quay Nomads
The New Saints
Newtown
Penybont

Category B offers:

Airbus UK
Flint Town United
Caernarfon Town
Cardiff Met
Cambrian & Clydach Vale
Barry Town United
Pontypridd United
Briton Ferry Llansawel AFC
Llanelli AFC
Haverfordwest County

Category C offers:

Colwyn Bay
Bala Town
Aberystwyth Town
Carmarthen Town
Pontardawe Town
Merthyr Town

Licenses Rejected:

Cwmbran Celtic
Risca United
Taffs Well
Llandudno
Cefn Druids