Girls and women football club to hold ‘come and try’ day

THE SHETLAND girls and women football club is hosting “come and try” sessions this weekend.

The club says it would welcome anyone interested to come along to the 60/40 at the Clickimin in Lerwick on Sunday (5 October).

This is open to both new players as well as those who have been away from the sport and want to come back.

A session for under nines and 11s – for those born between 2015 and 2018 – is taking place from 3pm to 4.15pm.

That is followed by a session for under 13s and 16s (2010-2014) from 4.15pm to 5.30pm.

Under 18s and seniors (2009 or before) are welcome to come along to the 60/40 at 5.30pm, with this session running to 7pm.

It coincides with Scottish women and girls in sport week, which this year has a theme of “celebrating being active”.

It comes amid a period of success for the women’s team, with Shetland playing in the Island Games in the summer, thrashing intercounty rivals Orkney and lifting the Highlands and Islands league cup.

Emma Gray is one player who has returned to football, after a 12-year absence.

“It’s been fantastic to get the boots back on after 12 years,” she said.

“I was nervous about returning, especially being a lot older now. I doubted whether I could play like I used to or keep up with the younger players. But with encouragement from old teammates and family I decided to give it a go and only wish I’d done it sooner.”

Meanwhile the club AGM is taking place at the Clickimin’s loch bar on Thursday (9 October) at 6.30pm.

The club has various committee positions to be filled, and anyone with an interest in supporting women’s football in Shetland is encouraged to attend.

Club secretary and coach Adam Priest said: “We’ve had a successful season and need fresh recruits to maintain the club’s momentum.”