Quote:
Originally Posted by Todd Sweeney
To answer my own question, there is no academy funding available for non-WPL clubs who participate in the FAW academy system.
“Is there any funding for Academies?
Only top-division clubs are able to benefit from the UEFA Champions League Solidarity Grant, which is distributed subject to meeting the Audit requirements. At its discretion, the FAW will consider Parachute Payments for relegated Welsh Premier League clubs in their first season of relegation. All other academies must be self- sufficient.”
https://www.wpl.cymru/uploads/docume...ted.pdf#page20 |
The even longer term picture is Swansea are an academy 1 catagory club, this means they can recruit players from any of the home nations, hence the satellite academies in area. Swansea are on record as saying they'll be looking to recruit from Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, England they say is too fierce. Cardiff City have similar aspirations and are well on track to replicating Swansea City. Throw in the other category clubs and even if promoted with funding unless we go for Catagory 1 or get to a similar league standing is a waste of time, it's a distant dream for us.
Entering the alternative Welsh system offers us more protection from such clubs until we're in a position where we can truly compete. The aim should be to bring players through to the first team, not making a fast buck or ensuring we get played peanuts at an early development stage.