Almost 100 players from Under 16 teams and women’s teams in Cumbria took part in a festival organised by Cumbria Women’s League.

Under 16 teams entered the event as last minute pre-season preparation for the league fixtures that begin on Sunday 20 September.
Players got the chance to impress in the friendly 6 aside festival as newcomers Carlisle City JFC U15s, Stanwix JFC U15s, Workington JFC Diamonds and Penrith AFC joined last season’s U16s from Carlisle City JFC. With 5 of the 9 league teams taking part in the pre-season festival it was a great chance for teams to prepare for the coming season and after watching the quality and spirit of the games, season 2015-16 should be an exciting one!

Following the successful Women’s Summer League in partnership with Cumberland FA and after hearing the feedback from players and managers, the league will continue to be played in the summer months rather than the traditional season. In order to keep women interested in the game through the winter, festivals along with evening sessions are being organised. The women’s festival was run alongside the Under 16 pre-season festival to raise the awareness of the new women’s summer structure and welcome new teams on the back of the summer league. With the Over 30s event also deemed a success over the weekend and more planned, there will be plenty of opportunities for women to take part in football that suits them over the next few months.

2015 Summer League teams Keswick FC, Carlisle United FC Development, Whitehaven Miners FC and Crown Newlaithes FC were joined by newly formed West Cumbria based Yankees FC. The fast flowing matches kept the players on their toes during the afternoon with some quality football played in the sunshine.

The event kicked off with players from all teams enjoying the sunshine and atmosphere at Newton Rigg, Penrith. With results not important, it meant teams could concentrate on offering playing opportunities for all players, work on tactics and try players in new positions without worrying about the score line. The event was a great success, with players, coaches and spectators enjoying the football over the afternoon.

Helen Aitchison, Cumbria Women’s League Secretary said “We are delighted the teams have supported the pre-season festival, it is a great way of preparing players, managers and spectators for the season ahead and shows the strength of support behind the women and girls playing in the county.”

Cumbria Women’s League would like to thank the officials who supported the event at Newton Rigg, along with the volunteers from the clubs and league who give up their time to support girls and women’s football in the County!

The Under 16 League kicks off next Sunday with 2014-15 Champions Harraby Catholic Club JFC starting the defence of the title at home to Penrith AFC. The other fixtures: Abbeytown JFC v Carlisle City JFC (U16), Carlisle City JFC U15s v Barrow Celtic JFC U16, Barrow Celtic JFC U15 v Diamonds JFC

Follow the league on Twitter @CumbriaWomensL or ‘Like’ us on www.Facebook.com/CumbriaWomensLeague to keep up to date with fixtures, results, events and news!