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LADIES
READY FOR KICK OFF TO THE NEW NIWFA SEASON
"Over
the past three years one sport in Northern Ireland has seen continued
growth and that has been Women's Football," explained Catriona
Hamill, secretary of the Northern Ireland Women's Football Association
(NIWFA) at the official launch of the new 2005 season at the Ballymena
Showgrounds.
The
Lucozade Sport/NIWFA season kicks off this week (2 May) with 22
games being played at venues across Northern Ireland. The main highlight
of the first week will see the Newtownabbey Strikers entertaining
the Ballymena All Stars on Wednesday 4 May. It is a match which
is sure to provide plenty of action as games between the two in
recent seasons have been packed with goals.
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Catriona
added: "Back in 2002 when we teamed up with Lucozade Sport
there were 32 teams competing in four divisions. We have seen a
steady increase in the number of teams in the leagues and we are
proud to welcome a new league - the Down region - to the NIWFA competition.
The 36 teams that took part in the NIWFA leagues last season has
increased to 45 teams across six divisions.
"It continues to be an exciting time for Women's Football in
Northern Ireland and we are delighted that we have been able to
renew the sponsorship with Lucozade Sport who have provided support
in developing the sport across the country. With Lucozade Sport's
continued support the NIWFA is confident that we will continue to
go from strength to strength," concluded Catriona.
Lucozade
Sport's Representative Philip Morgan attended the launch of the
2005 season at the Ballymena Showgrounds and believes that women's
club football continues to have a very bright future in Northern
Ireland.
"In
the past three years women's club football in Northern Ireland has
grown at a remarkable rate. Much of this has been down to the hard
work and enthusiasm of the NIWFA who are providing an exciting platform
for the sport to widen its popularity.
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Pictured
at the launch of the new season from Armagh City Ladies are
(l-r): Laura Simpson, Gail Davidson, Philip Morgan from Lucozade
Sport, Catriona Hamill from the NIWFA and Pamela Starrett. |
Photos: Brian Thompson
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