A proposal to allow four academy sides from Women\u2019s Super League clubs to join the third tier from 2027 has been approved by the FA Women\u2019s National League board.<\/p>\n
The league\u2019s management met FAWNL representatives on Friday and were told of the board\u2019s backing. The plans will now be put to the Football Association for further discussion before the changes can be rubber stamped. A final decision is expected in July.<\/p>\n
However, plans to introduce a mid-season split, as in Scotland, is understood to have been dropped. The FA<\/a> has been contacted for comment.<\/p>\n The Guardian revealed last month that the FA had proposed major structural changes to the FAWNL, including adding four WSL academy sides. That was alongside a potential investment package of about \u00a31m, enhancements to legal and medical support in the loan system, and play-offs in tier four.<\/p>\n Adding WSL academy sides to a lower division has divided opinion in the women\u2019s game and clubs\u2019 reactions to the proposals have been mixed. Manchester City are among several WSL clubs understood to support the move. The champions\u2019 managing director, Charlotte O\u2019Neill, said earlier this month<\/a> they would like to enter an academy team into the third tier, in City\u2019s case National League North. \u201cWe\u2019d definitely be open to it. We\u2019ve seen in Spain, for example, how powerful that\u2019s been for Barcelona,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe mechanism is difficult. How do you make that fair for all professional clubs? The impact that has on the National League. We\u2019re very mindful of that and respectful of various positions, but if you\u2019re asking me would I love to be able to put a B team into the national pyramid, absolutely. It would be hugely beneficial for the Lionesses, not just us.\u201d<\/p>\n A number of lower-league clubs have voiced their concerns about the proposed move, however. Some coaches vented their frustration on social media, accusing the FA of \u201crehashing and repackaging\u201d a scrapped plan<\/a> to introduce WSL B teams. Ian Chiverton, the chair of Portsmouth\u2019s supporters club, accused the authorities of \u201cpandering to the WSL teams\u201d, while Danny Taylor, assistant manager of the North West regional league side Mancunian Unity, called the idea an \u201cabsolute disgrace\u201d.<\/p>\n Under the scheme, four professional game academies, or PGAs, chosen on the \u201cstrength of academy and proportion of English talent\u201d would join with a three-year licence. They would be prohibited from promotion the second tier, but could be relegated. The other WSL clubs\u2019 PGAs would remain in their existing league.<\/p>\n