Campaigners Take Fight for Fairer Pathways in Welsh Women’s Football to Parliament

Local campaigners are taking their fight for greater equality in Welsh women’s football to Parliament this month, hoping to create stronger career pathways for the next generation of players

The Equality for Women and Our Girls campaign calls for the creation of  Wales Women’s Under-21 and Under-23 national teams, alongside wider equality across the women’s game.

Campaigner Soraya Kelly launched the campaign after watching her daughter progress into professional football. Through her daughter’s experience, she realised how difficult the career pathway becomes once players leave the Under-19 programme.

Unless players are selected immediately for the senior squad, they lose access to structured international development during one of the most important stages of their careers.

“We need to have the same opportunities as England, Scotland and our  boys in Wales.”

Kelly says the campaign is about ensuring young female players have access to the same development opportunities as their male counterparts.

“Why can’t these girls have the same opportunities as the boys?… Let our girls have the same opportunities… That is all we are asking for.”

She hopes support from politicians and others in positions of influence can help bring about change.

“If we can get another organisation or another individual whose got the  power to make this happen, we just appreciate all the support.”

Welsh women’s football has made significant progress in recent years. Wales’ qualification for its first major women’s tournament, alongside the Football Association of Wales (FAW) surpassing 20,000 registered women and girls, highlights the remarkable growth of the game.

Campaigners say introducing Wales Women’s U21 and U23 teams would bridge the gap between youth and senior international football, allowing talented players to continue developing technically, tactically and psychologically.

They argue it would also bring Wales into line with Scotland and other European nations that already provide these pathways.

“If we want to build on the momentum we've created and sustain success  at senior level, we need a complete pathway that gives every talented player the best opportunity to fulfil their potential.”

Former footballer Shanelle Edwards says she experienced the challenges of the Welsh women’s football pathway firsthand.

“It’s close to home for me. I’m an ex-player myself, and have been through the system. I’ve played for Cardiff City, played for Wales, and I’ve been through the pain the girls are going through at the moment… You reach the age of eighteen or nineteen, and there’s no real pathway for you to reach the Wales Women’s senior squad.”

"It's equal opportunity that we're asking for."

“We understand that the women’s game is much further behind. What we need is some more support to help with the growth of the women’s game, and I think a lot of people are acknowledging that.”

Edwards believes continued public support can help build momentum behind the campaign.

“Speak about it, talk about it. Even if it's just people sat around at the pub or a coffee shop, the conversations lead to something special. Hopefully small conversations at a bigger scale can really make that change for us."

Campaigners hope their visit to Parliament this month will help secure greater support for creating Wales Women’s U21 and U23 teams and strengthen the pathway for future generations of female footballers.

Listen to the full interview: Vale This Week - 5th August 2026.