GET THE BIGGEST STORIES FROM ACROSS SOMERSET STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX SIGN UP Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Yeovil Town Ladies risk losing their FA Women’s Super League 1 status at the end of this season under plans announced by the Football Association to restructure the women’s football pyramid in England.

From the beginning of the 2018-19 season, all clubs will have to turn fully professional and deliver a minimum of 16 hours of day time coaching each week if they are to be part of an expanded WSL1 of up to 14 teams.

Teams will not be awarded a licence to compete in the top tier if they are not professional outfits.

A new second tier of up to 12 teams will be create for semi-professional clubs, in line with the current format at WSL2 level.

The changes put the Lady Glovers’ future in WSL1 in doubt beyond the end of this season, irrespective of where they finish in the table.

As a semi-professional side, they do not meet the criteria required by the FA to be admitted into the new WSL1 league unless they commit to turning professional within the next year.

All WSL1 and WSL2 clubs – including Yeovil – will have the opportunity to apply for a licence to compete in the revamped top flight until November 10.

Any club outside the top two tiers will then be able to apply to move into the top step of the football pyramid from March.

Why has the FA announced this change?

The FA says that this restructure is central to its “Gameplan for Growth” strategy, which aims to transform the women’s game in this country.

It hopes to double participation, double the fan base of the women’s game and improve the England team, enabling it to achieve consistent success on the world stage.

A spokesman for the FA said that the changes will help improve the performance of the women’s game both on and off the pitch and develop a stronger commercial model for the league and clubs.

In addition to the restructure, a new academy structure at WSL1 level will be introduced in a bid to improve development of players between the ages of 17 and 20.

What are the FA saying?

Katie Brazier, head of women’s leagues and competitions at The Football Association said: “This announcement is a landmark moment for women’s football in this country.

“The changes will continue our journey to transform key elements of the women’s game. Providing an elite performance environment that will produce more and better players, increase the interest and excitement via a more competitive leagues, attract a greater number of fans and in turn deliver improved commercial viability for clubs and the leagues.

“The decision was made following a full review of women’s and girls’ football competitions and extensive and valuable dialogue with the clubs, who have been really supportive of the changes being introduced.”