A women’s beginner football league could be set up in the Harrogate district this season if enough teams are put forward to take part.
The West Riding County Football Association (FA) is looking to create a league based at Rossett Sports Centre, with the aim of six teams participating.
They will be formed from existing grassroots clubs in the area, including Killinghall Nomads Junior Football Club.
There is currently only one grassroots women’s team in the district – Darley’s Angels. The team was born out of a group of mums who watched their daughters play and train each week for Scotton Scorchers.
Mike Collier, women and girls football lead at Scotton Scorchers Junior Football Club, said:
“There were a lot of mums on the touchline who said they had never had a chance to play. So we asked them if they would be interested in creating a beginners’ team and we had an amazing response.
“The pitch at Darley had availability, so we started training there and got good numbers.
“The ladies came up with the name and the team was born. It is still linked in with Scotton Scorchers and is part of the community.
“There is always a lot of fun and laughter going on and they have great fun playing.”
Darley’s Angels started playing in March 2021 so have just completed their first season. Earlier this year they won a competition to train with the England Lionesses.
Darley’s Angels trained with the Lionesses.
The West Riding FA currently has a women’s beginner league, which Darley’s Angels is part of, however the clubs are all based in West Yorkshire.
It wants to develop the league by splitting it into two divisions; beginners and developers.
It also wants to create a second beginner’s league in the Harrogate district to provide teams in the area with an opportunity to play regular matches.
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Mr Collier, who has been involved with women’s football since 2003, said he hoped the positive experience of the Lionesses Euro 2022 win would inspire more women to get involved.
He said:
“If we can get six teams to come forward we can play every third week.
“We definitely welcome this proposal. So far David Terzza at Killinghall Nomads has said he will put a team forward and Pannal Ash has expressed an interest.
“Hopefully we will get there and it might be that once some come forward, others will follow suite.”
David Terzza, Killinghall Nomads girls’ football manager, who was a coach when Rachel Daly played at the club, said:
“There is very limited grassroots football for women in the district at the moment. Only Darley’s Angels exists currently in Harrogate district. However, I’m creating a Killinghall Nomads ladies team, with me starting as the coach.
“Hopefully other clubs in the district will also respond.”
Any women interested in playing for the new Killinghall Nomads ladies team should contact Mr Terzza on 078082 460221 or email [email protected]
