Addicks bid to join expanded league (From News Shopper)

Addicks bid to join expanded league

4:38pm Tuesday 5th March 2013 in Sport By David Brenchley

CHARLTON Athletic women’s football team formally submitted an application to be part of an expanded FA Women’s Super League (FA WSL) on Monday.

The bid has the full support of Charlton Athletic FC and the Charlton Athletic Community Trust and will see the women’s team become a separate, independent legal entity.

Currently the FA WSL has just eight teams who play in one division, with no relegation or promotion possible.

The FA is proposing a new second tier comprising a maximum of 10 teams, giving other clubs the chance of promotion into the elite league of women’s football.

Charlton currently play in the FA Women’s Premier League National Division, the second tier of English football.

If accepted, it would mean a switch from a winter to a summer season.

Teams’ bids will be judged on four criteria.

They are - financial and business management; commercial sustainability and marketing; facilities; players, support staff and youth development.

All current FA WSL teams must re-apply and will be judged by the same criteria.

The FA will be announcing the winning bids in June and further details of Charlton’s application will be announced shortly.

If you would like to find out more about the Charlton women’s team, visit cafcwomen.co.uk or follow @cafcwomen on Twitter.