League System
The national league system in women's football in England is currently operated by The FA, with the WSL at the top. For its first three seasons (2011–2013), the WSL is operating on a licence system with no promotion or relegation, similar to the system used in rugby league's Super League. The WSL replaced the FA Women's Premier League at the top of the system. Its teams also compete for the Continental Cup.
The Premier League is split into two levels: the first is the former top flight, the FA Women's Premier League National Division, with relegation to two equal leagues below this: the FA Women's Premier League Northern Division and the FA Women's Premier League Southern Division. Teams in these three divisions compete in the Premier League Cup.
Below the Premier League lie the four Combination Leagues, the South West, South East, Midland and Northern Combinations and below these are eight regional leagues. Below the regional leagues are the county leagues.
As in the men's game, some Welsh women's football clubs compete in the English pyramid. The most successful are Cardiff City and the now defunct Barry Town, both of which have played in the Women's Premiership.
Read more about this topic: Women's Football In England
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