Twelve football clubs in Pembrokeshire have developed new 'mini teams'.

New boys' teams have been set up at Hakin Utd (U7s), Haverfordwest County (U7s), Fishguard Sports (U7s), Milford Utd (U11s) and West Dragons (U8s).

New girls' teams have been launched at Tenby, Kilgetty, Pennar Robins, Johnston, Camrose, Clarbeston Rd and Newcastle Emlyn AFC.

The mini teams are supported by Sport Pembrokeshire (the sports development team at Pembrokeshire County Council) in partnership with Pembrokeshire Association Football Junior League and Pembrokeshire Girls' League.

The total financial support for each club is £860 per new team, provided through the LAPA (Local Authority Partnership Agreement) grant funding scheme.

Each club has been provided with 10 balls, 20 bibs, one ball bag, one cone stack, one first aid kit, one pump, one pair pugg goals, two football leaders course places, two emergency aid course places, two welfare course places, one certificate place, sports hall hire for six weeks and a coach to assist for six weeks.

Ben Field, Sports Development manager at Sport Pembrokeshire, welcomed the new teams, saying: "Club development is essential to provide exit routes for players from school and 'Turn up and Play' sessions."

All the new girls' mini teams took part in a festival at Sir Thomas Picton School recently, with up to 80 players from nine U11 teams and six U16 teams taking part.

The festival was boosted by a visit from Under 17 Welsh International players Ffion Ashman and Hannah Lewis (Angharad James could not attend due to other commitments).

"The visit from the internationals shows local club players that there is scope to progress if you are talented," said Clr. Rob Lewis, cabinet member for sports, leisure, tourism, and communities.

"We'd like to congratulate them, as well as those in South Wales regional squads - Mollie Griffiths, Rebecca Gwyther and Kirstie Lewis - and all the players selected to attend the West Wales Performance Centre."

The Pembrokeshire Girls' League is started their fixture list on Sunday. For more information, contact secretary Paul Thomas on 01437 763613.

For more information on the new mini teams, please contact Debbie Wise, football development officer, on [email protected]">[email protected] or 07799 714438.