The FA Women’s National League (FAWNL) board has given its backing to a proposal that will allow four Women’s Super League academy teams to join the third tier of English women’s football from the 2027 season. The decision, reached during a meeting between league management and FAWNL representatives, now moves to the Football Association for further discussion, with a final ratification expected in July. The plan represents one of the most significant structural changes to the women’s pyramid in years, reigniting a debate that has divided the game.
The concept of inserting reserve or “B” teams from top-tier clubs into the lower leagues is not new. A previous attempt to introduce WSL B teams was scrapped after widespread backlash from lower-league clubs who feared it would undermine the integrity of the pyramid. This revived proposal, however, comes with modifications: only four Professional Game Academies (PGAs) will be admitted, chosen based on “strength of academy and proportion of English talent,” and they will operate under a three-year licence. Crucially, these academy sides cannot gain promotion to the second tier but can be relegated back out of the FAWNL. Additionally, a contentious mid-season split format, similar to that used in Scotland, has been dropped from the plans.
Sue Day, the FA’s director of women’s football, defended the move as essential for player development. “Too many talented young players are not getting the opportunities they need to develop, and without action, that risks holding back the future of the sport,” she said. “A stronger pathway produces better players and strengthens the national team, which in turn fuels the growth and visibility of the game at every level.” Alongside the academy expansion, the FA has offered an investment package of around £1 million, plus enhancements to legal and medical support in the loan system and the introduction of play-offs in tier four, aiming to sweeten the deal for lower-league clubs.
Manchester City, the newly crowned WSL champions, are among the clubs in favor of the scheme. Managing director Charlotte O’Neill pointed to the success of Barcelona’s B team in Spain, which has helped produce first-team stars and boosted the national side. “We’d definitely be open to it. We’ve seen in Spain how powerful that’s been for Barcelona,” she said. “It would be hugely beneficial for the Lionesses, not just us.” City would likely seek to place a team in National League North, providing a competitive bridge between academy football and the senior professional game.
However, many lower-league clubs view the plan as a threat to their own ambitions and an example of the elite disregarding the grassroots. Ian Chiverton, chair of Portsmouth’s supporters club, accused the authorities of “pandering to the WSL teams,” while Danny Taylor, assistant manager of Mancunian Unity, called it an “absolute disgrace.” Some coaches expressed frustration on social media, describing the proposal as a rehashed version of the previously rejected B team format. Critics argue that allowing reserve teams into a competitive league could skew results, distort promotion races, and make it harder for independent clubs to attract fans and sponsors.
The tension highlights a recurring dilemma in football development: how to nurture young talent for the national team without diluting the competitive fabric of established divisions. In Spain and Germany, B teams have long been part of the lower-league structure, with mixed results. Barcelona B and Real Madrid Castilla have undoubtedly produced top players, but their presence has also been accused of crowd suppression and financial disparity. In the women’s game, where resources are still scarce, the impact could be even more pronounced. The FA’s choice to select only four academies based on talent metrics suggests an attempt to strike a balance, but it may also create a two-tier system within the academy structure itself.
Should the FA ratify the plan in July, the first WSL academy sides could be competing in the FAWNL by August 2027. The selected clubs would need to meet stringent licensing criteria, ensuring they have the facilities and coaching standards to operate a second team at a semi-professional level. The move is likely to accelerate the professionalization of the women’s game, aligning England with nations where dual-team structures are the norm. For the Lionesses, it could mean a deeper pool of match-ready talent for major tournaments, addressing concerns that too many promising teenagers plateau after leaving youth setups.
Opponents, however, will continue to lobby against the changes, emphasizing the potential damage to clubs built on community ties and volunteer effort. The FAWNL currently houses sides like Hashtag United and Wolves, many of which operate on tight budgets and fear being overshadowed by the prestige and depth of WSL-backed teams. The promised investment may not fully compensate for what they see as a loss of competitive identity.
The debate over WSL academy integration is far from over, but the FAWNL board’s approval signals that the governing body is ready to push forward with its vision for the women’s pathway. As the July decision date approaches, both sides will intensify their campaigns, knowing the outcome could reshape English women’s football for a generation. Ultimately, the success of the scheme will depend on whether it delivers the promised development benefits without alienating the very clubs that have sustained the women’s game through decades of underfunding and neglect.
Based on reporting from The Guardian.