Hornets apply for Super League status (From Watford Observer)

Watford Ladies have applied for a place in the Women's Super League in 2014

7:00am Sunday 10th March 2013 in Sport By Adam Newson

Watford Ladies have submitted an application to take part in the expanded Women’s Super League in 2014.

The Hornets, who are one of 33 teams to bid for a place, currently play in the Women’s Premier League but are looking to join the country’s elite sides from next year.

The Women’s Super League currently features just eight teams but as part of the FA’s five-year plan to develop the women’s game, the league will split into two divisions, comprising of 20 sides with a promotion and relegation system.

Watford Ladies have worked closely with Watford FC and its Community Sports & Education Trust on their application and have thanked Hertfordshire FA and Berkhamsted FC for their support.

The Golden Girls stated their bid “shows the passion and commitment Watford Football Club has towards Watford Ladies FC and the development of women’s football”.

The club will look to promote women’s football in the digital media and increase player appearances in the community as part of their application.

Watford Ladies confirmed to the Watford Observer that they have applied for a position in the second division of the Super League.

It would mean the Hornets stay in the same tier that they currently participate in but with the possibility of promotion at the end of the league campaign.

Teams will find out if their application is successful in June and the sides that are accepted into the Super League will benefit from financial support from the FA Club Development Fund.

The Golden Girls are also working with Watford FC and its Community Sports & Education Trust to ensure “necessary funds are in place through existing and new partnerships as well as fundraising initiatives”.

The Super League season will run between March and October, with games usually being held on a Sunday.

Should their application be successful, Watford Ladies believe there will be no changes to how the club currently operate regarding player recruitment.

They are confident that they can make a smooth transition to summer football but acknowledge they would have to “manage” the players’ seven-month wait for pre-season when the current campaign ends.

The Hornets currently play their home games at Berkhamsted FC and there are no plans for matches to be held at Vicarage Road.

They hope that playing fixtures during the summer months will lead to higher attendances and there is the possibility of televised games or highlights.