Wrexham AFC has announced that the women's squad will become semi-professional as well as applying for a tier 1 license for 2023/2024 season. 

The decision to apply for the Tier 1 licence was made to ensure that if performances on the pitch make the club eligible for a place in the FAW Women’s Premier League, they are eligible to join the top-flight.

READ MORE: Blake Lively hails Wrexham AFC women's team as 'incredible talent and force'

A club spokesperson said: "The decision to allow the players to become semi-professional, is to provide them the best chance of being successful and help the club achieve its objective of becoming the best women’s team in Wales, in the shortest period, practically possible.

"Women’s football will become a department of the club and Gemma Owen has been appointed as the full-time head of Women’s Football Operations. She will report directly to CEO, Fleur Robinson.

"Gemma’s immediate priority will be to complete the Tier 1 licence application before the upcoming deadline.

"Discussions regarding the make-up of the playing squad for the 2023/24 season will be led by manager, Steve Dale, and Fleur."

READ MORE: Meet the American couple that got engaged in Wrexham while on holiday in the city

The club referred to the commitment of Holywood owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds in that: "Their ambition was to grow all areas of Wrexham AFC, not just the first team and this is an important step towards achieving this."

The club is expected to make further announcements regarding its development programmes for both boys and girls in the coming months. 

The club added: "With a Legends team scheduled to visit the US during June and the Powerchair team now established, we are being represented across all areas of the game."