Green light for Athletic

STRABANE Athletic have been given the green light to establish a ladies’ section for next season.

 

Athletic had their application to play under the auspices of the Northern Ireland Women’s FA confirmed yesterday (Wednesday) and the club is hoping that news will help the ambitious north Tyrone outfit establish a successful ladies set-up..

 

The club recently appealed for players and club chairman Seamus McElroy indicated that to date the response had been encouraging.

 

Mr McElroy said it was a case of “baby steps” for now and the chairman was keen to stress that the club’s decision to start a ladies’ section would not impact on neighbours Sion Swifts who play in NIFL’s Women’s Premiership.

 

“At the minute it’s a bit of a stab in the dark because obviously Sion have a good set-up there and good numbers,” he said.

 

“Ladies football is on our development plan and if we want to become a senior club we need to have all aspects of the club up and running.

 

“We are hoping to get things firmly established over a period of three to five years and participating under the Northern Ireland Women’s FA, we won’t be competing with Sion at that level.

 

“Our place has just been confirmed but I suppose who knows when football will start again?

 

“We started a netball team last year although it was struck by Covid as well. Hopefully that gets back up and running when things return to some kind of normality again. For now it’s a case of baby steps.”

 

FULL STORY IN TODAY’S STRABANE CHRONICLE