The proposed changes to the format of the Women’s FA Cup have elicited an almost universally negative reaction. The focus in the media has, understandably, been primarily on the implications for top clubs but the proposals to exclude Tier 7 clubs (County Leagues) is potentially more destructive to the competition’s heritage and the game as a whole.

Lack of Consultation
Despite The FA reporting that Tier 7 leagues and clubs have been consulted, it appears that the voice of the grassroots community has been excluded. Certainly, the first this Tier 7 club heard of these proposals, despite having played in the opening rounds of the competition since 2019, was when it was reported by Tom Garry in The Guardian; "Top-four seeding of Women's FA Cup would kill the magic and widen money gap" on 5th February.

We don’t appear to be an isolated case either, as clubs and Leagues around the country appear to have been in the dark and taken by surprise by the reports.

There also appears to be no public facing summary, that we can find, from The FA of the proposals that clubs and leagues can refer to - our information has been garnered exclusively from media reports.

Elite Level Focus
Nevertheless, the FA focus appears to be almost entirely on commercial opportunities for the latter stages of the competition, without addressing the profound impact that other proposed changes would have on the base of the pyramid. It appears the grassroots voice has been treated as an afterthought in a discussion dominated by elite-level commercial interests.

The „Magic of the Cup"
The FA Cup’s global reputation is built on the "Magic of the Cup." While Tier 7 teams are unlikely to make it to the latter stages, the opportunity to simply be part of this historic competition is of immeasurable value. The exclusion of Tier 7 clubs from the WFA Cup would, effectively, pull up the drawbridge on grassroots women's clubs.

„Only thirteen wins from Wembley”
For players, families, and local communities, an FA Cup fixture at any level represents the dream that every club, no matter how small or volunteer-led, has a place in the national story of English football.

The WFA Cup provides an opportunity to raise the club’s profile in the local commmunity and beyond. Inclusion in the FA Cup validates the hard work of the thousands of volunteers who keep our clubs and leagues running across the country. To take this opportunity away feels like a slap in the face, and suggests that their contribution is no longer valued by the FA.

Financial Impact
The relatively modest prize money from early-round wins - or even exits - can be the difference between a club thriving or folding. Especially for independent women's clubs, this revenue is a primary opportunity to generate much needed income, whether for survival, or to thrive and progress up the pyramid. Without it, the financial requirements for promotion can be a barrier that talent alone cannot overcome.

Heritage of the Cup
Excluding clubs from the 7th Tier would be a fundamental change in the ethos of the WFA Cup, turning it into a closed competition, contradicting the FA’s own "Football for All" ethos and the history of the competition - and doing so would alienate the thousands of players and supporters who form the base of the game.

The FA have made a big play in the past about the origins in grassroots football of the Lionesses who, unlike most of their counterparts in the men’s game, started their football at grassroots clubs. The base of the pyramid is the foundation of the women’s football ecosystem and it must be supported. Ensuring that the FA Cup remains a reality for every club, regardless of the Tier at which they play, is essential to this.

We hope The FA will reconsider, engage in a meaningful way and accept that, the WFA Cup without the clubs from the base of the pyramid will fundamentally change the competition and remove some of its magic - and will undermine the long-term health and sustainability of grassroots women’s football. By engaging with the concerns of Tier 7 clubs, the FA can safeguard the Women's FA Cup's legacy and ensure its continued success for all levels of the game.