WHITCHURCH Alport have announced they will be starting up an all-new women’s team at the club.

A meeting will take place on Wednesday night (April 24) where the running of the team will be discussed.

The club has applied for the team to be entered into the Cheshire Women’s League and is awaiting a response ahead of next season.

Laura Thelwell and Louise Wainwright will be taking on the roles as joint-managers for the side’s inaugural season.

Laura hopes women of different abilities and footballing experience will take an interest and come along to start building a foundation for the squad.

“Anyone is welcome to come along; you don’t have to have played before,” she said.

“The club is looking to grow constantly, and a ladies’ team has always been something we’ve wanted here.

“It’s been an idea for a while, so I just thought I’d get the ball rolling and get it going now.

“It’s another great positive for Alport.”

Laura insists the decision to set up a ladies’ team will benefit the club in a number of ways and hopes the good support for the men’s team will transfer over to the women’s team.

She added: “In opening this ladies’ team, it gives the girls in the youth system a chance to extend their footballing journey beyond the age of 15.

“Hopefully the good support we have for the men’s first team will want to come along and see what the ladies’ team is about.

“We’re going to be taking it seriously – we want to try our very best.

“Obviously the first season will be a bit of a learning curve for us, but my aim as a manager here will be to get as near to the top and progress eventually.”

The pair of managers have past experience to bring to the new team, with Laura making it clear it has been a big aim of hers to lead a women’s team at Alport.

She said: “I’ve always wanted to be a manager. I’ve had experience managing the Alport under-15s girls’ team before and I’ve also managed an U8s girls’ team.

“I’ve always wanted to manage a women’s team here at Alport one day, and the same can be said for Louise.”

The meeting takes place at Yockings Park tonight between 7pm and 9pm.

Training is expected to take place on Wednesday evenings in the coming months.

For more information, visit the club’s Twitter page @alportfc