Two new clubs have entered the five-division system – Newcastle Emlyn and St David’s – making it 38 teams competing in the 2023-24 campaign. Both Newcastle Emlyn and St David’s were admitted to the West Wales League after coming through the New Team Process to obtain national league status.
The teams will play in the following divisions:
Premiership (8)
Burry Port, Caernarfon, COBRA, Llandaff North, Nelson, Pontyclun, Seven Sisters, Whitland
Championship (7)
Blackwood, Bonymaen, Gwernyfed, Haverfordwest, Lampeter, Llantwit Fardre, Ynysddu
North Wales (6)
Abergele, Holyhead, Llangefni, Rhys & District, Shotton Steel, Wrexham
East Wales (8)
Blaina, Clwb Rygbi, Dowlais, Old Penarthians, Porth Quins, Senghenydd, Taffs Well, Whitchurch
West Wales (9)
Morriston, Newcastle Emlyn, Pembroke, Pencoed, Porthcawl, St David’s, Tondu, Tumble, West Swansea Hawks
“Let’s give plaudits to those who have been involved in the Wales Women’s team – the players, Ioan Cunningham, his coaching team and the support staff. They have gone from a position where nobody was happy with their level of performance to being sixth in the world in a relatively short space of time,” said interim WRU CEO, Nigel Walker.
“But while there needs to be recognition for the progress that has been made, we’re not going to rest on our laurels. We’re going to continue to resource the women’s game.
“We’re going to continue to have conversations to make sure that everything is aligned and that we get as many girls playing the game as possible. Our U20 team was re-established in North America, lost narrowly to the USA and beat Canada quite comprehensively.
Burry Port and Whitland will form part of an eight-team Premiership
“Now we’ve got 38 teams to look forward to watching in the Admiral National Leagues, as well as two teams competing in the Celtic Challenge.
“Then there are the player development centres, where players can go for regular coaching. We’re building a platform on which we can sustain success across all levels of the game in Wales.”
The league structure for the new season has been agreed following a thorough consultative process. Localised leagues last season saw the highest completion rates on record.
Based on that, the WRU proposed a localised league at the top end of the women’s community game. This would only be for the first period of the season with the top four clubs from the East and West formulating the Welsh Premiership in the second half of the season.
Conversations with the clubs then discovered there was a demand for national competition in a season-long programme. Therefore, the season will see a full Premiership and Championship.
Last season’s WRU Plate finalists Whitland and Burry Port will join Seven Sisters, COBRA, Caernarfon, Llandaff North, Pontyclun and Nelson in a Premiership that provides teams from all five geographical rugby regions in Wales.
Bonymaen have entered the Championship from the Premiership and East and West league winners Blackwood and Haverfordwest will also compete in the Championship league, alongside Llantwit Fardre, Lampeter, Ynysddu and Gwernyfed.
There is a gap in the season for the Premiership and Championship which is to accommodate the Celtic Challenge development programme which this season has two Welsh teams competing. However, the WRU is developing options to ensure those not involved in the Celtic Challenge can continue to play rugby in this period. These plans will be presented to the Competitions committee for approval before the beginning of the season.
The season kicks-off in the Premiership with Seven Sisters heading north to meet COBRA, while last season’s table-toppers, Pontyclun, go to Caernarfon. Burry Port will host Llandaff North, while Nelson head to Whitland.
Matches in all leagues will kick-off on Saturday, 3 September with all games being played under the new tackle directive law,
“I would like to thank the clubs for their views and thoughts during the consultation process and as a department our aim will be there to work hard and continue to grow the game and provide support,” said WRU Community Director, Geraint John.
“The domestic club programme is so important for the future of the women’s game and its growth and we will continue to consult so that we can provide our players and clubs a long term plan and strategy.
“With the Celtic programme having an impact on the league we will have to take a break but will work to make sure there are opportunities for all during this period. It is vital that there are rugby opportunities for everyone throughout the season.”
