Image source, FAWBySimon DaviesBBC Sport Wales- Published4 minutes ago
Campaigners fear young women footballers could be lost if Wales does not bridge the "unacceptable" gap between youth and senior international level.
The mother of Wales squad goalkeeper Soffia Kelly is calling for the creation of an under-21 or under-23 squad - or both - as part of a "sustainable pathway" for young players.
England and Scotland both have teams at under-23 level while some young players in Wales simply "drop out" of the development system.
"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?" asked Soraya Kelly.
"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."
The campaign - Equality For Our Women And Girls - follows a petition that Soraya Kelly presented to the previous Welsh Government asking for funding to enable the Football Association of Wales (FAW) to:
create women's under-21 and under-23 national teams
expand access through regional talent identification and outreach
guarantee equal media promotion
The Senedd's petitions committee noted the good work already being done by the FAW to promote women's and girl's football and agreed to forward the petition's request.
The FAW has been approached for comment.
Image source, FAWImage caption, The mother of Soffia Kelly has launched the campaign
Until recently there had been little need for those age-grade teams due to the absence of any official tournaments run by Uefa, European football's governing body.
Uefa has told the BBC there are no current plans to introduce such competitions, though a new independent under-23 European League was created in July 2024.
England won the 2026 edition of that tournament, while Scotland fielded a team during the group stage, leaving Wales and Northern Ireland as the only UK associations without recognised sides.
Some Welsh players have successfully made the move straight from Wales under-19's to the senior squad, including Manchester United forward Mared Griffiths and Aston Villa goalkeeper Kelly.
"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," said Soraya Kelly.
Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyImage caption, Teenager Mared Griffiths has already won six caps for Wales
Despite concerns, Kelly is delighted by the FAW's work at under-19 level. The current team, under coach Nia Davies, have won three of their last four matches - including an impressive victory over England.
There is also excitement over Wales hosting the men's under-19 European Championship this summer, but Kelly says her proposal is for the long-term.
"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?’"
"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."
Image source, BBC SportImage caption, Shanelle Edwards represented Wales at under-17 and 19 level
One of those who did 'drop off' is former Cardiff City player Shanelle Edwards.
A promising Welsh international with the under 17s and 19s, Edwards was invited to train with the senior Wales squad but subsequently left football without the cap she coveted.
Now 32, and working in property finance, Edwards feels her chances would have been enhanced at senior level with an under-21 or under-23 side in place.
"I've spoken to other past players who agree," she said.
"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."
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A previous argument against the idea has been the limited talent pool in Wales.
But opinions on that appear to be changing.
Legendary striker Helen Ward, who won 105 Wales senior caps and scored a then-record 44 goals, believes the growth of participation in women’s football in Wales is bound to increase the pool.
"Now more than ever, there is starting to become a real need for it and we don't want to see the drop off," said Ward.
"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."
Unlike Edwards, Ward did get her chance to play for the Wales senior team, but it took time.
Now in the role of head of women's football at Watford, Ward also believes some players are late developers.
"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," she added.
"Not everybody's going to be ready and raring to go at the age of 19 straight for senior football."
Funding is key
Soraya Kelly knows none of this comes for free and acknowledges funding could be a stumbling block. This is where she feels that the Welsh Government could come in.
Currently the FAW's main source of income is from commercial revenue and from international governing bodies such as Fifa and Uefa. However that situation has not been aided by the men's team failing to qualify for this summer's World Cup.
The Welsh Government supports the FAW at grassroots level with projects relating to matters such as stadia development and new infrastructure.
For example, to mark the historic appearance of Wales' women at Euro 2025, the ‘Partner Support Fund‘ supported 16 grassroots, cultural, and educational organisations to boost sports participation and promote equality.
Sport Wales - the body responsible for developing and promoting sport in Wales - also provides public and lottery money to the FAW through grants, in partnership with the Welsh Government.
Any proposal for Welsh Government help to fund a new elite pathway would likely require sensitive negotiation with the FAW.
In a statement, the Welsh Government said: "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 added: “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."
Kelly plans to launch the campaign in August and already has the backing of Race Council Cymru, Black Police Association, Her Game Too and Vale of Glamorgan MP Kanishka Narayan. She is also soon to meet UEFA vice president and former Wales captain Laura McAllister.
"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," said Kelly.
"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.
"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?"
