An exciting new chapter for female football is about to begin, with the start of summer football for Pembrokeshire girls and women.
The Texaco Pembrokeshire Women's Football League has been in existence for a little over 10 years, and during that time has seen some remarkable advances in women's football throughout the county.
Nationally recognised as a leading light and a pioneer for many of the initiatives for female football, this league is once again boldly challenging the concept of football provision for girls and women players, with the decision to move the whole of the sport to the summer months.
Gerry Rigby, FAW football development officer and administrator for the league, explained: "This league has been an outstanding success over many years, in no small part due to the outstanding work carried out by the officers of the league, and has provided a blueprint for other female leagues around the country, but has now become a victim of its own success in many ways.
"The high standard of the teams in the league means that it has become impossible for aspiring new teams to join, and to be able to compete. Add to that fact that a steady number of girls leave each year to go to university and you can readily see the problem. We do have a large group of excellent youngsters coming through the ranks and in time will even further the quality and ranks of players in the league."
He explained the origins of the idea for summer football following a trip to Belfast last summer, when the women's county team played in an invitation festival, against some very high quality opposition, including Liverpool, Northern Ireland champions and the Eire national team.
"The quality of the football in Ireland impressed all of us, including the firm pitches and general conducive feel of summer football. Most other countries do play female football in the summer anyway and it is only male tradition that sees us trying to play in the winter here."
The league will start at the end of April, and will be eight-a-side format. All the games will be played, at least provisionally, on astro turf at Haverfordwest Leisure Centre every Sunday until the end of August. There will be two adult divisions (adults start at 14 years of age) and separate divisions for under 10s, 12s and 14s.
Gerry and his team of coaches have been working in all the secondary schools over the past few months, and have discovered a huge interest in girls football, mainly from girls who have never kicked a ball before. The idea is to establish teams from the schools to take part in the league.
Most of these new girls teams will be of the same novice standard, and that will ensure that everyone will be comfortable with the standard of football that they are playing in.
"The existing league teams will play in their own division of course," Gerry said, adding: "We are looking for any other females out there who might like a try at football, whatever their age or experience. The added bonus is that girls and women who may be involved at the moment in hockey, netball or rugby would be able to play in this summer sport without it affecting those other sports."
For more information, contact Gerry at the Sports Development Department, County Hall Haverfordwest, tel. 01437 776379 or mobile 07974831312.