New girls league set for launch

A LOUTH school girls soccer league is in the process of being formed with a start-up date pencilled in for March. It will be non-competitive and will also be open to teams from East Meath, catering for three age groups, under-7, 9 and 11. The season will overlap with the new changeover timetable for schoolboys taking in the summer months.

The organisers don’t expect that it will run as long as the boys equivilant, as for one thing the same number of teams are not expected to take part.

A spokesperson explained: ‘The idea is to get as many girls as possible out playing football. We want to get the word out and reach out to as many girls as we can.

The league is a joint initiative of Louth County Council and the FAI following the successful staging of a number of successful blitzes at this age level. Parents rowed in behind the idea of starting a league for girls.

An organising committee with officers has been established, and a presentation for clubs interested in entering teams has been arranged for Muirhevnamor on Wednesday, February 6, with a formal launch of the league probably taking place in March.

The organisers are looking to existing schoolboys clubs to form the backbone of the league. The playing format is to be finalised, but likely will be in line with the playing numbers for the boys, with teams under-11 comprising nine players, under-9 seven-a-side and under 7 five-a-side.

The League will have its own distinctive logo, with players eligible to play being invited to take part in a logo design competition, with the incentive for the winning designer an autographed jersey signed by the Irish ladies team.

The League is also launching its own Facebook page to advertise news of the league and events such as the logo competition. The League plans to involve local schools to arrange coaching for girls and provide them with a pathway into the league. Enquiries to: secretarylsgl@gmail.com.