FA announces Women’s Super League restructure

The Football Association (FA) has today approved changes to Women’s Super League licences, meaning the top tier of English women’s football will be only for full-time clubs from the 2018-19 season.

All clubs will be required to re-apply for their places, while new teams will have an opportunity to secure a license and join the top tier.

Current WSL tier one clubs have until 10 November to submit their applications and teams outside tier one will be able to apply in March 2018.

In an official statement the FA said the restructure had been sanctioned to create a “stronger commercial model” and to “improve the performance of the women’s game on and off the pitch”.

The FA plans to restructure the women’s football pyramid at the elite level: https://t.co/q5tV5kIYUI

— The FA (@FA) September 27, 2017

Katie Brazier, The FA’s head of women’s leagues and competitions, said of the news: “This announcement is a landmark moment for women’s football in this country. The changes will continue our journey to transform key elements of the women’s game.

“Providing an elite performance environment that will produce more and better players, increase the interest and excitement via a more competitive league, attract a greater number of fans and in turn deliver improved commercial viability for clubs and the leagues.

“The decision was made following a full review of women’s and girls’ football competitions and extensive and valuable dialogue with the clubs, who have been really supportive of the changes being introduced.”