Women's football revolution continues

WOMEN?S football in Wales is set for the next stage in its evolution, with a fully national league set for launch next season.

Welsh Football Association competitions secretary Andrew Howard confirmed the 2012/13 season will see the current northern and southern conferences merge to form a new 12 club league.
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Two new clubs will be promoted from the four regional leagues - which include the Dave Smith North Powys Ladies? League - at the end of the current campaign.

The next step in women?s football in Wales forms part of the Welsh FA?s (FAW) development plan and was announced at a meeting at Newtown last week by outgoing league secretary John Deakin and his successor Gwyn Derfel.

Howard confirmed: ?The new league will be a national set-up with 12 clubs and a 22 game programme. All the current northern and southern conference clubs have backed the national league proposal, which will commence next season.
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?The champions of the league will be nominated to represent Wales in UEFA competition the following season.?

Currently the region is represented by Llanidloes Town and Aberystwyth Town in the northern conference, along with Caernarfon Town, Northop Hall and Wrexham.

The five clubs will join southern counterparts Caerphilly Castle, Newcastle Emlyn, Swansea City, Trefelin and UWIC in forming the new league with two vacancies.

Howard said: ?There will be two places for new clubs wishing to join the league and this will be decided with an end of season play-off.

?The North Powys Ladies? League candidate would play the North Wales Ladies? League applicant, with the two Southern League representatives also meeting in a play-off to decide who went up.?

Currently Llanrhaedr, Llanfyllin Town and Meifod are challenging perennial champions Llanidloes Town for the North Powys Ladies? League title.

However Howard confirmed national league members will no longer be eligible to compete in the North Powys league.

Welsh FA Trust development officer Tim Broome said: ?This is great news for the game and I am delighted such a well run community club like Llanidloes Town will be members.?

Source: http://www.countytimes.co.uk:80/news/108989/women-s-football-revolution-continues.aspx

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