Football Association launches a three-year strategy for the Women's National League
The FA has launched a new three-year strategy to enhance and grow England’s Women’s National League (WNL), the tiers immediately below the two Women’s Super League divisions.
The Where Our Game Grows initiative is a follow up to the previous Empowering for Success plan which the FA believes has laid the foundations for the development of the league and enhanced the ongoing sustainability of the women’s football pyramid.
Over the last three years we have seen The FA Women’s National League go from strength to strength… As standards have improved for those on and off the pitch we have also seen our reach grow, with a 100% increase in average match attendances since 2021 and a 13% growth in recognition of the WNL amongst women’s football fans.
Sue Hough MBE, Chair, The FA Women’s National League Board
The FA now aims to take the next steps in growing the profile and reach of the WNL and leveraging the commercial opportunities within the women’s game.
The title of the plan – Where Our Game Grows - reflects the WSL’s role in connecting the professional and grassroots games. It is a vision and a roadmap to shape the future of league and the wider women’s football pyramid, creating sustainable revenues.
The FA aims to achieve its three-pronged vision – Champion Growth, Elevate Performance and Build Identity - through a set of strategic priorities:
- Improving the environment to boost standards within clubs
- Protecting and enhancing positive culture and behaviour
- Championing progressive pathways, nurturing diversity and unlocking potential
- Building visibility, engaging diverse audiences to grow the league’s profile and reach
- Attracting and collaborating with commercial partners to increase the sustainability of the WSL
The football pyramid depends on a strong base and sound management, from grassroots up to the elite Women’ Super League, so it is highly encouraging to see a clear and focused strategy in place for the WSL.
This season we are proud to launch ‘Where our Game Grows’, a vision and roadmap that will shape the future of our league and the wider women’s football pyramid. This strategy is a commitment to action, targeting enhanced performance and establishing a distinct identity that will create sustainable revenues for our game.
Nick Frith, Head of the Women’s Football Pyramid, The FA
Header image: Colin Bradbury
