WATCH AS DAVE TALKS TO NICK ABOUT THE LATEST WOLVES WOMEN NEWS
What’s next for Wolves Women? After a season filled with promise and a controversial ending, fans have been eagerly awaiting answers. The club finally released a statement from Chairman Jeff Shi addressing the situation, but what does it really mean? Let’s break it down and explore what the future holds for Wolves Women.
The Wolves Women Saga: A Season of Ups and Downs
Wolves Women had a strong season, putting in impressive performances week after week. However, after the final match, a cloud of uncertainty appeared. Despite potentially winning the league, the team was told they wouldn’t have been promoted. Understandably, this sparked outrage and led to calls for clarity from the club.
To make matters worse, there was a perceived media blackout, with the club failing to promote manager Macca’s nomination for Manager of the Year. This only fuelled the sense that Wolves Women weren’t getting the support they deserved.
For weeks, fans and pundits alike have been calling for Wolves to address the situation directly. Instead of relying on third-party leaks, the club needed to step up and provide transparency.
Nick From the Wolves Women Podcast Weighs In
To help us dissect the statement, we spoke to Nick from the Wolves Women Podcast. Nick is a dedicated supporter of the team and a true expert on all things Wolves Women.
Nick welcomed the statement but stressed that words alone aren’t enough. “Actions speak louder than words,” he said. “The club need to start following it up with some actual actions.” A key part of this is creating a clear pathway for young girls to progress through the ranks and eventually play for the first team.
Under 16s Triumph – But What Comes Next?
The Wolves Women Under 16s recently won the national cup, defeating Charlton Athletic. This is a fantastic achievement and a testament to the talent within the youth setup. However, there isn’t a clear route for these players to progress into the senior team. Currently, there’s no Under 18s or Under 21s team to bridge the gap.
Nick suggested the creation of an Under 17s or Under 18s team. This would provide a vital stepping stone for young players and ensure that talented youngsters don’t fall by the wayside.
Concerns Over Staff Departures
It’s not all been good news, with Laura Nicholls and Jenna Burke Martin leaving their positions within the women’s structure.
- Laura Nicholls: Has left her role to work within the academy.
- Jenna Burke Martin: Has handed in her notice.
These departures, particularly given their timing, have raised concerns about disillusionment within the club. Losing experienced female figures is a blow and could impact the team’s progress.
Decoding Jeff Shi’s Statement: A Closer Look
Wolves have now reaffirmed their commitment to the long-term growth and sustainability of women and girls programme supporting the continued progress of the Wolves women first team. The club’s leadership is focused on building the foundation to deep-rooted long-term success and developing a more progressive structure around the women’s program to support meaningful growth both on and off the pitch.
Building a Stronger Foundation
The statement emphasises the club’s commitment to building a stronger foundation for Wolves Women. This includes focusing on key areas such as commercial, financial, marketing, and sporting operations. A more “progressive structure” is promised, but what does this actually look like in practice?
Where’s the Marketing?
One area where Wolves Women have consistently fallen short is in marketing and commercial support. The Wolves Women Podcast has been banging this drum for ages, stressing there needs to be a change. While the club does a great job promoting showcase games, such as those against West Brom at Molineux and Manchester United at New Bucks Head, regular matches are often overlooked.
Simple actions, like sending regular emails to fans about upcoming home games, could make a big difference. So, why aren’t these things happening?
Fan Support and the Commercial Opportunity
Wolves Women have a dedicated and passionate fanbase, with excellent support at their home games in Telford and Molineux. These players are becoming aspirational figures. Every Wolves fan wants them to be supported!
The club needs to recognise the commercial opportunity that Wolves Women present. There’s a chance to attract new fans who may not be interested in the men’s team. Arsenal have successfully built their women’s team fanbase by targeting a wider audience. Wolves could adopt a similar approach, focusing on Wolverhampton, Telford, and the surrounding areas.
Tier 2 License: A Question of Ambition
“Moving forward, we’ll apply for a tier 2 license on an annual basis in line with our sporting achievements and ensure that even that every on pitch achievement is supported with the right procedures.”
The statement suggests that the club will only apply for a Tier 2 license if Wolves Women achieve certain “sporting achievements.” But what does this actually mean? Should the club only apply if they’re guaranteed to win the league? Or should they apply whenever there’s a realistic chance of promotion?
Playing by the Rules
The approach to VAR is a useful comparison here. Just as the club adheres to VAR rules, even when they disagree with them, they should follow the established procedures for the Tier 2 license application. This prevents them from trying to do it on the cheap.
The Cost of Contact Time
One of the biggest challenges in the Championship is the requirement for a minimum of 20 hours of contact time on the grass per player. For many players, this means sacrificing other commitments, such as jobs or education.
Take Beth Merrick, for example. She’s a teacher, so to dedicate 20 hours a week to training, she’d have to give up a significant amount of teaching time. The club would need to compensate her for this, which obviously increases costs.
Esports vs. Women’s Football: Where Are the Priorities?
It’s hard to ignore the contrast between the club’s investment in esports and the perceived lack of investment in Wolves Women. While esports undoubtedly offers commercial opportunities, women’s football is growing rapidly and offers significant potential for brand growth.
Other clubs, including those without Premier League men’s teams, are investing heavily in their women’s teams. Why aren’t Wolves doing the same?
The Championship and Beyond: What It Takes to Compete
London City Lionesses and Ipswich Town have both achieved promotion without the backing of a Premier League men’s team. Meanwhile, Norwich City, whose men’s team finished 13th in the Premier League, are investing more in their women’s team, who play in the league below Wolves.
The Championship is becoming increasingly competitive, with a growing number of teams adopting full-time professional models. Part-time teams are struggling to keep up. The women’s team shouldn’t be expected to be self-sustainable, that’s just not how it works!
Prioritising Player Welfare
Player welfare is a critical aspect of any football club, and Wolves Women are no different. It’s essential to have robust support systems in place to protect players’ mental and physical well-being.
The tragic death of a young Sheffield United player Maddy Cusack serves as a stark reminder of the importance of welfare roles. Wolves already have a good support system in place, with figures like Anna Price providing valuable assistance. It is important to provide the players with everything they need to succeed, especially when talking about something like this.
What Happens Next?
All Wolves Women players’ contracts expire at the end of May, so the club faces a crucial period in terms of player retention. Convincing key players to re-sign will be vital for the team’s future success.
There are positives to take from the fact that the club recently opened a Wolves Women section in the museum. However, this action needs to backed up with long term support.
A Message to Jeff Shi: Action Speaks Louder Than Words
If Jeff Shi is reading this, we urge him to take note: action speaks louder than words. The statement was a welcome first step, but it needs to be followed up with concrete actions and tangible investment.
With the right backing, Wolves Women can achieve great things. Promotion should be the target.
Finally, we send a message to the players and staff: the fans are behind you. Whatever you decide to do, we’ll support you every step of the way.
What Next Season Could Look Like
If the club backs Macca and the squad stays together, promotion should be the goal. Burnley and Sheffield United are likely to be among the main rivals in the league.
Now it’s over to you. What do you think about Jeff Shi’s statement? What are your hopes for Wolves Women next season?
In Conclusion
The future of Wolves Women hangs in the balance. The club has made promises, but now they need to deliver. With the right investment and support, Wolves Women can achieve their potential and make the fans proud. The next few weeks will be critical in determining whether those actions are going to be delivered.