Wasps administrators believe that the club’s women’s soccer team will compete in the Premier 15s. Similar optimism is held for the netball team.
Premiership Rugby has relegated Wasps’ men’s team, but suspended Wasps’ women’s side. The domestic top-flight campaign for women doesn’t begin until November.
Andrew Sheridan from FRP Advisory told BBC Sport that they will “do all we can”.
He stated, “I am confident they are.” [Wasps Women] When the Allianz 15s begins in November, players will be able participate in it.
“We are working closely with the RFU (Rugby Football Union) and doing everything we can to facilitate that.”
Importantly, the Wasps women’s team are not affiliated with Wasps FC. Instead, they play most of the home games at Wasps FC’s Twyford Avenue, London.
Although Mr Sheridan believes the club will be allowed to start their campaign at Bristol Bears 19 November, he acknowledged that funding for players and medical care would be critical.
After being made redundant, Wasps women’s players were put on administrative leave and become essentially free agents.
Several of their players, including Abby Dow from England, are currently in New Zealand to compete at the Women’s World Cup. They received Zoom talks this week with administrators.
Sheridan stated that “the issue they are going have is where their money comes from and how they compensate the players,” Sara Orchard, BBC Sport rugby reporter, said.
“Some are contracted, while others are paid as you go, almost for match appearances. The question is: Where does the funding come from?”
“One of the problems they have is under their agreement with the company that has now been placed into administration. They can still use the company branding, but they cannot do their own marketing.
“They must raise funds so that we can accommodate them. We don’t believe there will be conflict so we are doing our best to make it happen.
Discussions with Wasps Netball – ‘Interested Parties’
The semi-professional Wasps Netball team’s future is somewhat less important with the Netball Superleague season beginning in February 2023.
The 15 players they contracted and the two support staff were among those who were made redundant. This means that any new owners would have had to re-employ, or replace them.
However, it is important to note that there are a limit of 12 players who have signed contracts and three training partners for each Superleague team. This means that Wasps’ players will not be able to find other players.
Sheridan added, “We are working closely together with England Netball to understand their plans.
“We do have interested parties, but it’s quite complicated, because like all of these sports regulatory bodies, they each have their own rules.
“A bit like rugby’s “fit and proper” test. If you’re applying for a new Netball Superleague license, I’m led by the Netball Superleague to believe it’s 18-months.
“It might be simpler if you transfer your current license to participate. England Netball is our guide.
England Netball stated earlier this week that it would “work together” with all parties to protect netball opportunities at the community, pathway, elite and community levels.