The New Saints are delighted to confirm that the club has retained its FAW Academy Category A status for the 2025/26 campaign. 

Category A status means the Academy set-up at Park Hall has been recognised as one of the best in Wales, offering talented local players the best career progression opportunities. 

The FAW’s criteria for successfully obtaining a Category A licence consists of over 150 sporting and business points, and this will be the third consecutive season in which The New Saints Academy is offering the highest level of provision available. 

Chris Seargeant, assistant first team manager and head of coaching, said: “We’re very happy to receive the news that we have retained our category A status. 

“It’s what the club, coaches and players deserve for all the incredible work that goes on behind the scenes and the clear progression that they are all making every season. 

“It’s also some nice news after a frustrating weekend for us at the national finals with some tight losses and penalty heartbreaks. 

“However, the bigger picture shows that five out of six of our groups made those national finals and five out of six of our age groups were crowned Northern champions, which is something the club have never done before. 

“A special mention obviously goes to our U15s,  who did manage to lift the national trophy following a penalty shootout victory against Pontypridd United.  

“A huge thanks to all involved.”

There’s also further good news to share on the Academy front, as for the first time, The New Saints have also been granted a girls’ academy licence following a restructure earlier this year.

A new categorisation model has been implemented with all clubs having to deliver against quality assured criteria to obtain an Academy licence. Each club must meet criteria across the two key areas of Business and Sporting to receive a licence. 

The Saints are one of 11 clubs within Wales to have been awarded the licence, with Ian Williams, Chief Operating Officer, commenting: 

“We are pleased to announce that we have been awarded an FAW National Academi (Girls) licence for the upcoming season.

“This achievement marks another significant step in the growth of our Women and Girls’ programme, strengthening the development pathway across our U16, U17, and U19 teams, and providing a vital platform for young players to progress into our senior women’s squad.”