Southampton FC has downgraded its women's academy status from Category One to Category Two, withdrawing offers from dozens of girls. The decision was made after a club review of the sustainability of the women's and girls' programme. The move will reduce the number of full-time staff and players enrolled within the girls' programme, eliminating some positions and teams entirely. Girls who were set to join or be retained by the under-12s, under-11s, and under-10s for the new season had their offers made in May withdrawn via video call this week. The club's Category One academy status in the men's game is unaffected. An email to parents stated that the club remains committed to women's football and providing opportunities for female players to develop and progress. The changes are not seen as a step away from the women's game, but rather an attempt to create a structure that can be supported responsibly and sustainably in the years ahead. The club will be moving their existing under-16s, as well as under-15s and under-14s, into an Emerging Talent Centre set-up. This change is due to the Premier League's funding for ETCs, which is not enough to cover every age group. As a result, the under-12, under-11, and under-10 groups that were previously within the ETC have been scrapped, with players' offers withdrawn. The news is a blow to the women and girls' programme at Saints, following a string of homegrown talents recently representing the first team. Since the reformation of the women's programme in 2017, homegrown Lucia Kendall, Ella Morris, and Kayla Rendell have received England call-ups. All three have moved on to play for Women's Super League teams, but Meg Collett and Milly Mott remain established first-team players at Saints. Players are free to contact other ETCs to find a place elsewhere, with the FA registration period not opening until July 1, but many fear they may be left without a club due to missing trials in the meantime. Concerns have been raised over the manner of the communication from the club to parents.