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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Tom Garry

Women’s football in England at risk without WSL academy teams in third tier, FA claims

Wolves players embrace after a FAWNL match with West Brom at Molineux
Wolves Women are second in the National League Northern Premier Division. Their head coach is among critics of the FA’s plan. Photograph: Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/Wolves/Getty Images

Sue Day, the Football Association’s director of women’s football, has defended the governing body’s plans to radically change the structure of the women’s lower leagues, including introducing four Women’s Super League academy sides into third tier, saying she believes the game is at a “crucial turning point”.

On Tuesday the Guardian revealed the proposals, which also include a mid-season split in tier three, a financial package of about £1m and enhancements to the loan system, as well as more relegation spots and playoffs in tier four, as part of a major transformation of the Women’s National League’s structure. Reaction has been mixed, with some third-tier coaches heavily critical.

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