REVEALED: How will Swindon Town Women's FC benefit from new partnership with men's side?
The Club hopes the collaboration will have an "immediate and positive impact" on its operations
Last updated 6th Oct 2022
Bosses at Swindon Town Women's Football Club (STWFC) say they want to "thrive and fly," as the Club set out the ambitions of its new partnership with Swindon Town FC.
Since it was founded in 1993, the ladies' side has been affiliated with the senior men's team, but run as a separate entity.
It was revealed last month that the two clubs had officially joined forces. At the time, STWFC said the move was "something we've been striving towards for many years".
However, many fans are wanting to know what the collaboration will actually entail - and how it will benefit the ladies' side. Greatest Hits Radio has been investigating exactly that.
On the pitch
Staff at STWFC are hoping the new partnership will help to raise the Club's profile across Swindon and Wiltshire, meaning they are more likely to attract a higher quantity and quality of talent.
Working alongside Swindon Town also means the ladies' first team players no longer have to pay to play. Anyone who's already paid their match fees for the 2022/23 season is being refunded.
STWFC are set to play regularly at Swindon Town's Foundation Park, with several games scheduled at the hallowed turf of the County Ground as well.
Enhancing coaching is another major focus of the partnership. According to Swindon Town, STWFC coaches "will be supported to develop their skills, self-awareness and build together a clear playing style that brings the values of the Club to life".
"We want the teams at Swindon Town WFC to play with the same spirit of Swindon Town," the Club added.
All these changes show how the ladies' side is aiming to evolve away from grassroots football, with players currently having jobs alongside their sporting duties, towards high-level professional performance.
To signify this, there are plans for STWFC to play in the same kit as The Robins from next season. Club bosses ultimately want to provide a better playing experience for the first team squad.
STWFC have competed in Division One South West, the fourth tier of the Women's National League, since the start of the 2018/19 season.
The Club's Director of Football, Tom Hartley, hopes the afore mentioned developments will lead to sustainable growth up the football pyramid for STWFC.
"I think we can measure the success of this (partnership) in lots of different ways. Winning on the pitch is going to be important and going to be the thing that lots of people will look at.
"Without a shadow of a doubt, moving up into tier three, sustaining for a while, and then aiming for tier two, is definitely achievable. There's no reason why not," he told Greatest Hits Radio.
Off the pitch
As well as aiding the first team, STWFC also wants the collaboration to help the Club to reach more communities across Swindon and Wiltshire.
The ladies' side, who currently play at Fairford Town Football Club, are hoping the partnership will lead to greater exposure and more youngsters attending matches. Bosses are also looking to get a higher proportion of local girls interested in playing the game.
STWFC says one of its key aims is to become "that leading light for women and girls' football in the region ... developing a pathway from the playground to the County Ground".
Other priorities include sharing best practice with Swindon Town to help the ladies' side protect its future. These discussions will delve into crucial long-term facets of the Club, including marketing, sponsorship and the academy.
"Winning on the pitch is important, and it will come, but there is loads of other stuff too that we can focus our attention on, that will define the success of this move.
"I would hope (this partnership) provides the building blocks for us to really thrive and fly," Mr Hartley added.