FA Women's National League Strategic Review – Wolves 1877 Trust Response

‍The Football Association has approved a package of reforms for the FA Women's National League (WNL) in August 2026, set to take effect from the 2027–28 season.

Whilst Wolves 1877 Trust welcomes many of the proposals contained within the FA Women's National League proposals and recognises the need for continued development of the women's football pyramid, we do have concerns.

‍ There are clearly positives in the proposals, particularly the recognition that the Women's National League requires greater investment, stronger pathways and improved opportunities for players to progress towards the professional game.

‍However, we have significant concerns about the proposed inclusion of Professional Game Academies (PGAs) within the Women's National League. We are also disappointed in the consultation process that led to this review outcome.

Professional Game Academies (PGA) inclusion

‍Our understanding is that the inclusion of PGA teams has been opposed by a significant majority of WNL clubs (52 of the 72 WNL clubs) and is generating considerable concern among supporters of all WNL clubs.

‍We recognise the argument that providing young players from WSL and WSL2 academies with competitive football can support the development of future England players. We don’t believe that placing academy teams directly into the WNL is the right solution.

‍The WNL has developed over many years through clubs that have invested their own resources, often with limited financial support, to provide women's football at national level. These clubs have their own competitive ambitions, supporters and communities, and should not simply become part of a development pathway designed primarily to benefit the professional game.

‍Is £7,000 enough?

‍We would question whether the proposed central funding of approximately £7,000 per club goes far enough.

‍The financial pressures facing WNL clubs are considerable. Travel, facilities, matchday costs, player expenses, coaching, medical provision, administration and safeguarding all place significant demands on clubs.

‍Against that background, £7,000 per club represents a ‘drop in the ocean’ towards the actual cost of operating a team at this level.

‍If the strategic objective is genuinely to strengthen the Women's National League, then the financial commitment needs to reflect the importance being placed upon the competition.

‍There is a wider question here about where responsibility for developing the next generation of England players should sit.

Developing future Lionesses

‍We understand and support the ambition to provide more competitive minutes for young English players who may ultimately represent the Lionesses.

‍However, we are not convinced that introducing PGA teams into the third tier is necessarily the best way of achieving that objective.

‍We would suggest that a more sustainable approach would be to expand the WSL/WSL2/WNL further, creating additional opportunities for existing independent clubs to participate, while simultaneously requiring greater investment by WSL and WSL2 clubs in their academy structures

‍Player welfare

‍There are also important player welfare considerations that deserve greater examination.

The proposed introduction of academy players aged 16–18 into a competition involving adult players requires careful consideration of the physical and welfare implications.

‍This is not an argument against young players playing senior football. Properly managed, playing against experienced adults can be an important part of player development.

‍However, there is a significant difference between providing controlled opportunities for individual young players to gain senior experience and introducing academy teams containing several younger players into a predominantly adult competition.

‍The physical demands of the women's game are increasing, and the potential for mismatches in physical development, fitness and experience needs to be properly assessed. Player welfare must remain central to any reform of the competition structure.

‍Whilst we welcome the FA's ambition to strengthen women's football and develop future Lionesses we do not agree that developing the professional game should come at the expense of the clubs that have built and sustained the national game below it.

‍The Women's National League should be regarded as a premium competition and an important part of the football pyramid not simply as a development vehicle for the professional game.

‍We hope the FA will continue to listen to the concerns of WNL clubs and supporters, and review some of its proposals.

‍We hope that further consultation through the Football Supporters’ Association will allow for the views of all to be expressed, ensuring that the final implementation of the strategy delivers a stronger, better-funded and more sustainable Women's National League for everyone.

‍Wolves fans let us know what you think? – email wolveswomen@wolves1877trust.co.uk

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