‘Unacceptable’ gap costing Wales young talent claimImage source, FAWBySimon DaviesBBC Sport WalesPublished3 minutes agoCampaigners 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 teamsexpand access through regional talent identification and outreachguarantee equal media promotionThe 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 campaignUntil 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,” reported Soraya Kelly.Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyImage caption, Teenager Mared Griffiths has already won six caps for WalesDespite 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.”
