SCARBOROUGH Ladies FC's first team will play in the North East Regional Womens' League next season, after their entry was confirmed at the league's AGM.
Speaking at the club’s AGM, first team manager Gareth Davies said: “It will be a tougher league to play in, but we are looking forward to the challenge.
“We start our pre-season preparations a bit earlier this year as our first game is on
August 23. But the girls are still on a high from last year’s league and cup double so I’m sure they will be raring to go.”
The Ladies’ will open in the league cup at home against Whitley Bay on August 23, and will start their league campaign away at Durham City the following week.
The North East Regional League includes 12 women’s sides from the likes of Birtley Town, Teesside Athletic and Cramlington.
It was also confirmed at the AGM that the Ladies’ reserve side will enter the North Riding Women’s League next season – the league the first team won last year.
The junior sides will all continue to play in the East Riding Girls League.
At the meeting the club’s election of officers also occurred, seeing some changes to the coaching staff and committee.
Off the pitch, Jo Ryall, wife of under-14s manager Pete Ryall, is taking over as treasurer from Chris Errington.
The head coach’s role has been taken on by Gavin Wakeham following Alex Bell leaving the position. Gavin has undertaken similar roles before, most notably with football sides in the Armed Forces and will be undertaking a full development programme for each player.
Changes in the junior management roles see club secretary Natalie Davies take over as under-16s boss from Kayla Dennis, and Scarborough Athletic director James Hunter become manager of the under-12s, replacing joint- managers Clare Stockill and Hannah Tadman.
Davies will be assisted by Mike Barker and Joe Hodgson, while Hunter will have Warren Foster as coach with an assistant manager to be appointed.
Other changes see Tadman take on a coaches role with the under-14s, and first team striker Katie Welham become the new assistant boss. Col Hepples will continue as under-10s manager.
The club is also setting up a new ‘soccer-tots’ scheme for girls aged four upwards. Hepples will oversee the scheme, with help from open-age players Laura Breckon, Laura Errington and Laura Wilson.
An open day for new players is being held at Graham School on the evening of Thursday July 16.
Junior teams start at 6pm, with open-age starting at 7pm. Anyone interested can come along, more details available from Natalie Davies on 07931 709151.
