FA approves WSL academy sides in National League

What the report says

The Football Association has approved a major change to the women’s football pyramid that will allow Women’s Super League academy sides to play in tier three of the Women’s National League from the 2027-28 season, BBC Sport reported. Under the plan, four professional game academy teams will be able to compete in the division, but they will not be eligible for promotion. The FA said the reforms are intended to strengthen the pyramid, improve standards and give young players more senior-game opportunities.

The decision follows strong opposition from many National League clubs. BBC Sport reported that 52 of the 72 clubs in the structure signed a letter objecting to the proposal, calling it morally wrong and saying they had not been properly consulted. The FA, however, said it had carried out an extensive consultation process with clubs and other stakeholders before moving ahead.

The article said the wider aim is to address the limited number of competitive minutes available to young English players compared with peers in other European countries. Criteria for choosing the four academy sides will be drawn up in the coming months, and the arrangement will be reviewed annually. Alongside this change, the FA also plans central funding for WNL clubs for the first time, the creation of club academies and adjustments to loan rules to encourage more player movement into tiers three and four. Sue Day, the FA’s director of women’s football, said the measures are meant to help the game continue to grow and support the long-term health of the national team.