January 23 – The FA Women’s National League (FA WNL) has provided a positive update on its ‘Empowering for Success’ strategy as it enters its final year of implementation. Introduced at the start of the 2022/23 season, it aims to help clubs in tiers three and four of the English women’s football pyramid to thrive both on and off the pitch.
Backed by investment from the Premier League, the FA WNL say they have surpassed several key targets ahead of schedule. The stats show that fan recognition of the league has risen to 34%, far exceeding the 25% target, while club and player satisfaction levels, as measured in an annual survey, have also exceeded expectations, reflecting the positive reception to the league’s ongoing efforts.
A cornerstone of the strategy has been the introduction of minimum standards across the leagues, designed to create a safer, more professional and sustainable environment for all 72 clubs. League officials note that every club are now working to meet these benchmarks.
Diversity has also been a central focus of the operation. Its goal of having 7% of managerial or assistant managerial roles filled by individuals from minority ethnic backgrounds has already been achieved, while 22% of coaches are now women—just shy of the 23% target.
On top of this, clubs were granted £250,000 to support continued investment in their operations and overall standards. Meanwhile, the refereeing landscape was strengthened with the addition of 33 new officials to the Emerging Talent Programme.
In a historic first, all 72 clubs completed the 2023/24 season, a remarkable achievement for the FA WNL.
Attendance figures reached record highs, with 21 clubs hosting matches at Premier League and EFL stadiums.
Commercially, the FA WNL League Cup Final was held at a Premier League venue for the first time, boosting both visibility and prestige, while on the marketing front, the league embraced digital innovation, launching its official TikTok channel to better engage with younger audiences.
Sue Hough, Chair of the FA Women’s National League board, said: “As we reach the midpoint of our ‘Empowering for Success’ strategy, we are witnessing exceptional growth and increased interest across all levels.
“The second year of the strategy also marked a historic achievement for the FA WNL, with both Portsmouth and Newcastle securing promotion to the second tier. Fans of both clubs celebrated these milestones with great excitement, showing just what makes the pyramid so special.
“While we’ve made significant strides, there’s of course still more work to be done to fully unlock the potential of the FA WNL. We remain dedicated to providing the right support to ensure that our 72 member clubs can perform and operate at their highest level.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1737661246labto1737661246ofdlr1737661246owedi1737661246sni@g1737661246niwe.1737661246yrrah1737661246.