Wales adds women’s under-23 team to bridge gap to senior football
Wales has introduced a women’s under-23 squad to keep players in the international pathway between under-19 and senior football. The Football Association of Wales says 19 players attended the first camp earlier this month. Nia Davies, the Cymru women’s under-19 head coach, led the group, which played a behind-closed-doors friendly against Watford.
New women’s under-23 pathway
- Players at inaugural camp
- 19
- Target senior-team graduates
- 2 per year
Training alongside the senior team
The camp ran alongside Rhian Wilkinson’s senior squad as it prepared for the World Cup play-off against Albania. That allowed the senior coaching staff to watch the younger group train and discuss the players’ development. The FAW says there are currently no competitive fixtures between under-19 and senior women’s international football. The new group gives players another route to international training and assessment after under-19 eligibility ends.
A target for senior progression
FAW chief football officer Dr David Adams set a target of two graduates a year for the women’s national team. That is a development aim, rather than a promise of selection for any player. National Lottery funding is helping support the age group, which will also work with the association’s Talent ID programme. The programme seeks eligible players both within Wales and elsewhere through birth or heritage. The FAW’s announcement does not give a schedule of competitive under-23 matches or a result from the Watford friendly.