Sun Shines on the Women at Football Festival

17th August 2010

The sun shone on the Sheepmount on Sunday 15 August 2010 where pre-season preparations were well under way in the women's game in the county. Twelve teams from across the county and further afield took part in the annual pre-season friendly festival, in Carlisle.

Teams from Abbeytown, Carlisle City, Crown Newlaithes, Penrith AFC and Dalton Utd used the festival as preparation for the start of the Cumbria Women's League, which kicks off in September. While Cumbrian clubs taking part in the North West Regional Women's League also got a run out, with last season's Cumbria Women's League champions and newly promoted Whitehaven joining Carlisle Ladies and Penrith AFC along with visiting North East club Tyneside.
The festival, a joint venture between the Cumbria Women's League, Cumberland FA and Sport and Recreation at Carlisle City Council was a great success with the players enjoying the friendly format of the day, leaving them to concentrate on playing good quality football.

Helen Aitchison, Girls and Women's Football Development Officer commented "The afternoon was a great day for players to get to know each other and get some match time in a friendly environment. With nearly 100 women taking part in the day and a large number of spectators enjoying the football and sunshine during the afternoon, the event was a great start to what should be an exciting season for Cumbrian women's teams".

The tournament was played over 3 pitches with each team getting plenty of game time, allowing all squad members the chance to put their training into practice and enjoy the atmosphere. Players stepping up from the local under 16 leagues had their first taste of women's football during the event, and it was a good introduction to the women's game with the girls giving a good show against their more experienced opponents.

The Cumbria Women's League is a development league, aimed at giving all players aged 16 and over the opportunity to play football in the county. With the league now going into its third season, the number of younger players coming through is continuing to grow, showing the strength in depth of clubs and players at the younger age groups over the past 5 years. However, it is not just younger players that the league has been a benefit to; players have also come back into the game to play women's football, where in the past it wasn't possible or local enough to get involved.

With Keswick FC also entering the Cumbria Women's League this season, there has never been more opportunity to play women's football locally.

Another 6 aside tournament is planned for the coming season and a female Level 1 Coaching Course is also available to increase the number of female coaches in the county. To show an interest in this course or for the small sided football, please contact please contact Helen Aitchison, Girls and Women's Football Development Officer on 01900 872310.

All teams are still looking for more players, so if you used to play and fancy giving it another go or have never played before but would like to try it, contact Helen for details on local clubs near you.