Wales women's football demands under-23 pathway to stop talent drain

Campaigners warn Wales risks losing young women footballers without a clear pathway between youth and senior international levels.

Mother leads fight for pathways The mother of Wales goalkeeper Soffia Kelly is pushing for the creation of under-21 or under-23 national teams to give young players a sustainable route forward. England and Scotland already have teams at these levels, while many Welsh youngsters ‘drop out’ of development after turning 19. Kelly asks why Wales lacks these pathways despite women’s football growing rapidly. She says: ‘There’s no pathway [in Wales] but Scotland and England have. The boys have got it. European countries have got it. Why have we not got it?’ Kelly adds: ‘It’s not rocket science. We just want to have equal opportunities as our boys in Wales. With everything that’s going on with women’s football, this should be a given.’ ## Petition calls for equal opportunities Kelly’s campaign, ‘Equality For Our Women And Girls’, follows a petition she presented to the previous Welsh Government requesting funding for the Football Association of Wales (FAW) to establish women’s under-21 and under-23 national teams, expand regional talent scouting, and ensure equal media exposure. The Senedd’s petitions committee recognized the FAW’s existing efforts in promoting women’s and girls’ football and agreed to forward the petition’s demands. ## Uefa absence leaves gap unfilled Until now, youth teams at under-21 or under-23 levels were rarely needed because Uefa did not run official tournaments for these age groups. However, Uefa has no plans to introduce such competitions, though a new independent under-23 European League began in July 2024. England won the 2026 edition of the tournament, with Scotland taking part in the group stage. Wales and Northern Ireland remain the only UK associations without recognized sides at this level. Some Welsh players have successfully moved directly from under-19s to the senior squad, including Manchester United forward Mared Griffiths and Aston Villa goalkeeper Kelly. ## Bridge to senior level missing Kelly argues that an under-23 team would act as a crucial bridge to senior football. Without it, players transitioning from under-19s to seniors face a steep physical and mental challenge. She explains: ‘It [under-23s] is a bridge to the seniors. So [without it] you go to the 19’s and if you’re not involved in the seniors, you haven’t got much of a chance then of going anywhere.’ Despite concerns, Kelly praises the FAW’s work at under-19 level, where the current team, led by coach Nia Davies, has won three of their last four matches, including a notable victory over England. ## Talented players forced out early Kelly highlights that many Welsh players drop out of football after under-19s due to the lack of progression routes. She says: ‘Soffia is lucky, she’s involved with the seniors, as well as Mared and players like Phoebe Poole who is amazing and scoring all these goals. But other girls are so talented and there’s nowhere for them to go. So many talented girls are dropping off, or even before dropping off, are thinking, ‘Well, we’ve only got till we’re 19, so what’s the point?’’ Kelly adds: ‘There’s only four or five [of the current squad] going to be eligible to play with the under-19’s now and that’s a squad of 20. These talented girls, where can they go? It’s not acceptable. It’s really not.’ ## Former talent loses hope without pathway Former Cardiff City player Shanelle Edwards is one who left football without earning a senior cap despite representing Wales at under-17 and under-19 levels. Now 32 and working in property finance, she believes an under-21 or under-23 team would have given her a better chance. Edwards says: ‘I’ve spoken to other past players who agree. We are all in alliance with the fact that there isn’t that pathway. The gap between being an 18 or 19-year-old footballer to competing with senior level players - who could be 25 upwards - is a big jump both physically and mentally. Without these gaps bridged, we are very unable to compete with other nations that have got those in place. The proof is in the pudding. When you look at the men’s team, stats don’t lie. You’re not often getting 18 or 19 year-olds playing in the first team. The average men’s team player will make his debut between the ages of 21 and 23. It’s huge to have that gap bridged.’ ## Growing talent pool sparks new debate Helen Ward, a legendary striker with 105 Wales caps and a record 44 goals, believes the increased participation in women’s football in Wales is creating a larger talent pool that justifies the need for an under-21 or under-23 team. Ward says: ‘Now more than ever, there is starting to become a real need for it and we don’t want to see the drop off. In the past, I always thought there wasn’t really a need with the talent pool that we have in Wales being quite small. Players like Carrie Jones stepped up to the senior team at 15. Don’t get me wrong, she’s an anomaly - an outrageous generational talent that was able to do that - but you felt that players that were coming out of the 17s would often skip the 19s. Where it’s different now, is that there are many more opportunities for girls to play football in and around Wales, so players are developing earlier and faster. So, there is now a bigger pool where not everybody is going to be able to jump from the 17s and 19s straight into senior football.’ ## Late developers need support Ward, now head of women’s football at Watford, emphasizes that not all players are ready for senior football at 19. She says: ‘I didn’t make my senior debut until I was 22 and I don’t know if I’d have been ready to do that sooner. Not everybody’s going to be ready and raring to go at the age of 19 straight for senior football.’ ## Funding challenges loom large Soraya Kelly acknowledges that creating under-21 or under-23 teams will require significant funding, which could be a barrier. She believes the Welsh Government must intervene to ensure equal opportunities for girls as boys in Wales. Kelly explains: ‘I get it is down to funding. The FAW has only got a certain amount of money. So the Welsh Government needs to step in here so that there’s equality for our girls, as well as our boys, in Wales. The boys have got it and have always had it. There’s been funding there for the boys, but not for the girls and that needs to change.’ ## Welsh Government commits to action The Welsh Government states that giving women and girls the chance to participate in sport is vital to building a confident and ambitious Wales where talent is nurtured. It says: ‘Ensuring women and girls have the opportunity to take part in sport is essential to building a confident, ambitious Wales where talent is nurtured at every level. This Welsh Government is committed to working closely with governing bodies to expand opportunities and remove barriers. Women’s sport has the power to transform lives, strengthen communities and elevate Wales on the international stage.’ It adds: ‘The Football Association of Wales leads on the governance and development of the game, including ongoing discussions on strengthening pathways such as a Wales women’s under 21 or under 23 team. Through Sport Wales, we are investing in the future of women’s sport, supporting national bodies to grow participation, develop elite talent and inspire the next generation.’ ## Campaign gains widespread backing Kelly plans to launch the campaign in August and has secured support from Race Council Cymru, Black Police Association, Her Game Too, and Vale of Glamorgan MP Kanishka Narayan. She is also set to meet Uefa vice president and former Wales captain Laura McAllister to push for change. Kelly says: ‘We’ve got lots and lots of people who are really passionate about this and trying to help this pathway to develop. The women’s game has come on so much and how are we ever going to be able to compete against the likes of England going forward, if we don’t have that middle buffer?’