Sion girls set for derby opener with Derry City

SION Swifts next generation of women footballers are set for a derby opener tomorrow (Friday) when they entertain their Derry City counterparts in the Electric Ireland Women’s Academy League at Melvin.

The NI Football League formed the Electric Ireland Women’s Academy League in 2019 to provide a pathway for the best Under 19 players to progress into the top division of women’s football in Northern Ireland.The League consists of six clubs; Cliftonville Corinthians, Crusaders Strikers U19, Derry City Ladies U19, Glentoran Women Reserves, 
Linfield Ladies Swifts and Sion Swifts Ladies U19, with with a combination of competitive games, dedicated development days and learning opportunities included throughout the season calendar.

Andrew Johnston, Managing Director of NI Football League said he is delighted the Electric Ireland Academy League is able to go ahead: “The League got off to a flying start in 2019 and it is our aim to maintain the momentum of the remarkable growth in the women’s game in recent seasons.

“The Women’s Academy League is a very important stage in the development of players and provides a clear and direct pathway into the Women’s Premiership. We are extremely pleased that the season is going ahead andwe must offer our thanks to Electric Ireland whose ongoing support is vital to the growth of our member clubs and leagues.”

Commenting, Anne Smyth Northern Ireland Sponsorship Lead, Electric Ireland said: “The Electric Ireland Women’s Academy League is important to our shared objective of enabling the talent of the future to be true game changers.

“We know that over recent months players have been working hard to keep up their fitness levels and that they are keen to get back on the pitch.

“I, like so many others, look forward to watching the teams’ progress as the season gets underway.”

Kick-off at Melvin tomorrow is 7.30pm

FULL STORY IN TODAY’S STRABANE CHRONICLE