Page 12 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.20 2020-21

Cyncoed Ladies have officially merged with Pontypridd Town AFC and have been awarded Tier
1 status in the re-structure of women's football in Wales announced earlier this week.
They will play as the Women's first team of Pontypridd Town AFC. The club has issued
the following statement on the merger:
"We are incredibly proud of the journey that Cyncoed Ladies FC have been on to date and
this is a hugely exciting next chapter. We have always been an ambitious Club, eager to grow
and open to change. We've worked incredibly hard to establish ourselves in the Welsh Premier
Women's League since promotion in 2015-16 and we would like to take this opportunity to
thank every player, coach and incredible volunteer that has been a part of our journey.
"We've built our home in Pontypridd and created fantastic links with our home venue at
USW and the Pontypridd community - we have recognised that sadly our name does not match
or represent our location and as such have looked at solutions. We looked at a number of
options, but only one aligned to our vision and ambitions.
"Cyncoed Ladies FC First Team and U19 Team will merge and become the First Team
Women's and U19s team at Pontypridd Town AFC. As part of the merger, Pontypridd Town
Ladies AFC, who currently play in the SWWGL will transition over to become the Pontypridd
Town Women Development AFC team. You will still see some familiar faces though, as the
‘team behind the team' all transition over."
Fern Burrage-Male, the Director of Football for Cyncoed Ladies, said: "We've been
reviewing our Club's brand and identity for a number of seasons and looking for a suitable
match. We've built a home at USW over the last few years and feel this is the right time and right
opportunity to align our brand with a Club that matches our ambitions. This is by no means a
takeover - this is a collaboration, an exciting partnership that creates a Super Club in the area
enabling women and girls' football to thrive.
"Pontypridd Town AFC already have a well-established junior girl's section and this
merger brings our First Team, our Under 19's and the existing Pontypridd Town Ladies team
together, under one umbrella, allowing us to provide a seamless pathway from junior girls to
the first team.
"Pontypridd Town AFC have some exceptional people at the Club and we can't wait to
continue to build on the fantastic work we've done to date. We want to inspire young girls and
give women and girls of all abilities, an opportunity to play the sport we love! This is a hugely
exciting time for all at the Club and we can't wait to get started as the #Dragons"."
"The merger between our clubs will offer sustainability, stability and opportunity to
women and girls within the Pontypridd and surrounding areas wanting to play and develop
football," added Rhiannon Gray, the Chair of Pontypridd Town Ladies AFC.
"In addition it means that girls within the Rhondda Cynon Taff area who want the
opportunity to play elite football, don't necessarily have to leave the area to be given this
opportunity."
"I am delighted to strengthen our women's section with Cyncoed joining our football
family to create a new and exciting Pontypridd Town Women's Team," said Steve Savage, the
Sporting Director of Pontypridd Town AFC.
"The opportunity to add an established Welsh Women's Premier League Team along
with really good people within the section will improve our club.
"Sharing our home ground at USW Sport Park and having shared ambitions to grow as
a club, the link up was a natural one.
"I look forward to working with Fern and her amazing team to achieve our aims of
improving on & off the field in creating some fantastic female football opportunities for all
within our local community."
Issue no. 20 - 3 June 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk