The 2023/24 Genero Adran Premier season kicks on Sunday 17 September, with plenty of anticipation for the title race, battle for the top half and fight to avoid relegation.
After claiming their first league title in a decade in 2022/23, Cardiff City will be out to defend their crown. The Bluebirds went throughout last season without losing a league game and also claimed the Bute Energy Welsh Cup, but they have made no secret of their desire to add the Genero Adran Trophy to their collection this term and complete the treble.
Last season’s top scorer Phoebie Poole has departed alongside fellow Cymru youth internationals Manon Pearce, Lily Billingham and Emily Roberts, but the Bluebirds have been busy recruiting too.
Tija Richardson, Emma Beynon and Kelly Adams have all previously won the Genero Adran Premier, while Amelia Forkings and Mackenzie Olden bring a youthful edge. Cayman Islands international Molly Kehoe is also an exciting addition.
There has been no shortage of transfer activity at Swansea City too. Ceri Phillips has added Cymru international Chloe Bull to his ranks, while Steph Turner, Robyn Pinder and Sophie Brisland-Hancocks have all made the move from Cardiff Met.
Six-time champions of the women’s top-flight, the Swans finished 13 points behind rivals Cardiff City last season and ended the campaign without any silverware for the first time in four years.
However, their impressive transfer business, combined with new captain Katy Hosford and last season’s Genero Adran Premier top scorer Stacey John-Davis, will give supporters hope that they can compete once again.
A new era has dawned at Cardiff Met, with last year’s third-place side having a sense of unpredictability about them following a summer of significant overhaul.
Daniel Delahay has taken over the managerial reigns following Yzzy Taylor’s departure last season, while Steph Turner, Robyn Pinder, Sophie Brisland-Hancocks, Emily Allen and Tija Richardson have all moved on and been replaced by a younger core.
New recruits Faith Mulenga and Elena Scrivens were both regulars in the league for Barry Town United and Abergavenny Town respectively last term, while the likes of Sophie Regan and Leah Samuel enjoyed youth success at Cardiff City. It will be down to players such as Ellie Preece and new captain Erin Murray, who both scored in last year’s Genero Adran Trophy final to lead Met to victory, to ensure a smooth transition.
The New Saints squeezed into the top half last season following a dramatic end to phase one and held their own against the league’s traditional heavyweights, ending the season with back-to-back wins against Swansea City and Cardiff Met.
Greg Draper will hope to continue that momentum into 2023/24 and compete in the Championship Conference again, so the signing of Kirstie Kural – who netted 14 goals in the Genero Adran North for Connah’s Quay Nomads last season – will certainly aid that cause.
If Kural can strike up a strong connection with forward Emily Ridge, TNS could possess one of the division’s most potent attacks. Ridge did not come into the team until November last season but ended the season with 11 goals in 12 league games – only three players in the league scored more.
After two consecutive fifth place finishes, Pontypridd United will be aiming to break into the top half this term. They couldn’t get much closer last season, missing out on a place in the Championship Conference by just one goal.
Genero Adran Premier Young Player of the Season Olivia Francis has joined Manchester United after her impressive breakthrough campaign, while the experience of Alison Witts and Kirstie Pervin-Davies is also gone.
However, plenty of new faces have arrived at USW Sports Park. Former Cymru international Nadia Lawrence is the standout signing, while Alana Murphy returns to the club after a season at Abergavenny Town. Sophie Topper was named in the Genero Adran South team of the season in 2022/23 and Nicole Fenton starred for Cardiff City in the Genero Adran U19 division last term.
Aberystwyth Town finished in the top half in the inaugural Genero Adran Premier season, but slipped to sixth last term so will be hoping to push back up the table in 2023/24.
Goalkeeper Elen Valentine has departed for Newcastle United but is replaced between the sticks by Margot Farnes, while Cymru U17 international Niamh Duggan is back at the club after a spell at Reading.
The Seasiders will be relying on an experienced core, with Ffiona Evans entering her 17th season at the club and the likes of Kelly Thomas, Lucie Gwilt and new captain Amy Jenkins all continuing at Park Avenue.
After finishing one place above the relegation zone last season, Barry Town United will be keen to move away from danger as the new campaign begins.
The Linnets have lost Mackenzie Olden to Cardiff City after she scored nine league goals last season, but there is a new manager in the hotseat at Jenner Park in Stevie McCarthy-Campbell.
India Shanahan has arrived as Olden’s replacement after scoring 24 goals for Cardiff City’s U19s last term, while fellow new signing Chloe Tiley was a Genero Adran Premier title winner with Swansea City in 2021/22.
Finally, Wrexham will be eagerly awaiting their Genero Adran Premier debut following promotion. They won all 12 of their Genero Adran North games to lift the title before beating Briton Ferry Llansawel in the play-off.
Steve Dale has maintained the majority of the squad that achieved that success, most notably the prolific Rosie Hughes who bagged 42 goals across all competitions last season and Amber Lightfoot who was named Genero Adran North Young Player of the Season.
Former Cymru international Hannah Keryakoplis has signed for her hometown club and brings WSL experience, while Keren Allen, Louisha Doran and the returning Ava Suckley have further bolstered the Red Dragons.
