The FA has announced its decision in respect of the naming of Tiers one to four of the restructured women’s football pyramid from 2018/19 onwards.
Brighton & Hove Albion will compete in the FA Women’s Super League (currently named FA Women’s Super League 1) from next season, while FA Women’s Super League 2 will be called the FA Women’s Championship.
The full list of changes can be viewed below:
- Tier 1 – FA Women’s Super League (currently FA Women’s Super League 1)
- Tier 2 – FA Women’s Championship (currently FA Women’s Super League 2)
- Tier 3 – FA Women’s National League - Northern Premier Division / Southern Premier Division (currently FA Women’s Premier League Northern Division / Southern Division)
- Tier 4 – FA Women’s National League – Division 1 North, Midlands, South East, South West (currently FA Women’s Premier League Division 1 North, Midlands, South East, South West)
The FA hopes that this rebrand will provide a clear separation between the top two tiers - full -time professional and part-time semi-professional - whilst also providing a more appropriate name for the third and fourth tier leagues.
Albion were granted a licence to compete in Tier One back in December, when the application process was open to clubs currently in FA WSL 1 and FA WSL 2.
The application process has now moved to an open phase, which is open to clubs from outside the FA WSL 1 and 2, and for those who didn’t apply in the first phase.
Applications for the remaining places in Tiers One and Two can be made up until Friday 9th March.