Earlier this year, the Football Association of Wales announced the restructuring of its girls’ football development pathway to launch the National Academi (Girls).
A new categorisation model has been implemented with all clubs having to deliver against quality assured criteria to obtain an Academy Licence. Each club must meet criteria across the two key areas of Business and Sporting to receive a Licence.
The FAW National Academi (Girls) assessment criteria can be downloaded below. Highlighted elements within the document signify the minimum standards that are expected of all clubs who are awarded a licence.
FAW National Academi (Girls)
Assessment criteria
The reason for the new model
Due to growing popularity, participation has increased within girls’ football that has led to an imbalance of competitiveness within some grassroots leagues. As a result, some players were not being provided with an appropriate level of challenge.
Furthermore, to aid the growth of Women’s and Girls’ football, UEFA now requires Genero Adran League clubs to establish youth teams in order to qualify for European competitions. Additionally, FIFA’s one player/one club rule mandates that players may only be registered with one club at a time.
With football’s growth in popularity and to align with UEFA and FIFA policies, the FAW has created a structured, transparent pathway for female players, implementing a model similar to that of the National Academi (Boys).
Licensed Clubs
Applications from eligible clubs were received at the end of April and following their assessment against the criteria, 11 clubs will receive a licence for the 2025/26 season.
The licenced clubs are as follows:
- Aberystwyth Town
- Barry Town United
- Briton Ferry Llansawel
- Caernarfon Town
- Cardiff City
- Cardiff Met
- Connah’s Quay Nomads
- Haverfordwest County
- Swansea City
- The New Saints
- Wrexham
With the introduction of the FAW National Academi (Girls) structure, six of the nine existing girls’ development centres have been offered a licence. These licenced academies will have the opportunity to run a Pre-Academi programme for U8–U11s and, subject to league approval, enter teams at U14 level and above into local leagues. Non-licensed clubs can choose to enter teams into local leagues and continue to support the grassroots game.
The development centres at Eirias Park and Cardiff University will now be operated directly by the FAW and known as the ‘FAW Girls Regional Programme Pre-Academi’. This programme will offer weekly training for U8–U11 players who show potential to progress into the FAW Girls Regional Programme at U13 level, based at Colliers Park in the north or the University of South Wales / Dragon Park in the south.
The FAW remains dedicated to fostering the growth of women’s and girls football in Wales, providing young players with the best opportunities to develop and compete at the highest levels.
