Country Wales Founded 2009 Level on pyramid 1 | Confederation UEFA Number of teams 12 Relegation to since 2010–11 | |
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The Welsh Premier League is the top level women's football league in Wales.
Contents
It was founded in 2009 and was the first women's football league in Wales. The winner qualifies for a spot in the UEFA Women's Champions League.
In previous years the national cup winner was sent into European competition.
The league is divided into two Conferences that play a double round robin, with the winner of both contesting a final for the championship. The first season featured no relegation, from the 2010-11 season onwards, the last placed team in each conference gets relegated.
History
The eight clubs who formed the League were Aberystwyth Town Ladies, Caernarfon Town Ladies, Llanidloes Ladies, Manorbier Ladies, Newcastle Emlyn Ladies, Swansea City Ladies, UWIC Ladies and Wrexham Ladies.
The league was increased to five teams per Conference in 2010–11, with Caerphilly Castle Ladies and Trefelin Ladies joining the South and Llandudno Junction Ladies joining the North. Manorbier Ladies ceased playing activities after their inaugural season.
Llandudno Junction's stay in the league lasted just one season before they were relegated; they were replaced by Northop Hall Girls.
Format
In its first three years the league was divided into two conferences, north and south. Both winners then played a championship play-off for the title and right to play in the UEFA Women's Champions League. A relegation system was introduced in the second season, when the last place in each conference was relegated. The league changed the format to a single division for the 2012–13 season. The league was also expanded for the second time. After eight teams in the first season and ten teams in second and third season, now twelve teams will participate in the league.
2016–17 teams
For this season PILCS changed their name to Abergavenny Women, Rhyl & Prestatyn Ladies chenged their name to Rhyl Ladies. Briton Ferry Llansawel were promoted to the Premier League. Cwmbran Celtic withdraw from the league, because a lack of players. Newcastle Emlyn Ladies were relegated. Wrexham already withdraw mid-season 2015/16.
Former teams were Manorbier Ladies, Aberystwyth Town Ladies, Northop Hall Girls, Caerphilly Castle Ladies, Caernarfon, Trefelin Ladies (since then joint Port Talbot Town), Llanidloes Ladies F.C. (now Hafren United Ladies) and Cwmbran Celtic.
List of champions
In the first three seasons a final between the division winners determined the champion. Cardiff Met. (former UWIC) have won the most titles with four.
Premier League Cup
A Premier League cup has been held since 2014.