Yesterday afternoon, Talking WoSo confirmed that the FA are to introduce Professional Game Academies (PGA) into the FA Women’s National League (FA WNL) Plate for next season. A move not too dissimilar to their introduction into the English Football League (EFL) Trophy.
It will be down to the individual PGAs as to whether they enter the competition or not but now they are at least eligible. I anticipate that the majority of clubs will enter as this will provide a good experience for the players and provide the clubs with a platform to showcase their young talent.
Professional Game Academy Licences are granted as part of the Barclays Women’s Super League (WSL) and Barclays Women’s Championship (WC) licence criteria. Clubs outside of the top two tiers will not be able to access this programme.
PGAs allow players to be part of a professional club programme that will combine football development with their education. The FA website states the system “focuses on players aged 14-20 (U15-U21s), who show potential, with a high-performance club training and playing environment that supports a dual career focus.”
Players in U21s Academies last season made over 10,000 minutes of appearances in the Barclay’s Women’s Super League.
The Football Association
Given that the competition is for the FA WNL teams and the PGA teams have their own league and cup competitions, the reaction has not been positive. It has been suggested on social media that this move will provide increased competition for players within the PGA system and that this move is an admission that the U21 competitions are inadequate. I don’t know enough about these competitions to pass comment.
Some have questioned the integrity of the competition and believe that this may hamper FA WNL clubs’ progression in ‘their’ competition. I understand the perception that FA WNL clubs may no longer progress into the latter rounds but PGA dominance is not a guarantee.
PGA teams regularly come into contact with FA WNL clubs and those from lower leagues within County Cup competitions and they don’t have it all their own way. Last season, AFC Bournemouth overcame Southampton FC’s U21 side 2-1 in the Hampshire Cup Final, while Saltdean United beat Brighton & Hove Albion’s Academy in the Sussex Cup Semi-Final before going on to lift the trophy in the final.
I think that this could be a positive move to get more eyes on the third and fourth tiers of the women’s game. Matches against household names and potentially future Lionesses are a much easier sell to bring in new fans and provide increased gate revenue.
A contact from the FA has confirmed that the league’s member clubs voted in the move and while it wasn’t unanimous it was supported by the majority. Adding that the format and structure is yet to be decided so there will be no formal announcement at this time.
I don’t envy the person in charge of organising the constitution of the FA WNL Plate as this will be a headache when it comes to organising fixtures and potentially adding another round to the competition. Women’s Football Chat‘s Chris Gadsby will no doubt shed more light on this next week as that is his area of expertise.
