The new secretary of the Midlands Schoolboy/Schoolgirls League (MSL) is aiming to encourage a number of Laois underage girls teams to take part in the midlands league.
Portarlington’s Derek Collins has made it his mission to support and encourage girls sides to take part in the MSL which in the youngest leagues is currently made up from teams from Offaly, Westmeath and east Galway.
While a number of girls line out for boys teams in Laois, last year there were no girls teams from Laois competing in the U-10/11 league or the U-12 league.
In contrast, Tullamore, Killeigh and Mucklagh, within a five mile radius of each other, and just over the county border, all had teams competing. Both Tullamore and Mucklagh won league titles in their respective divisions.
The Portlaoise U-14 team was the single flag bearer from the whole county participating in any league in the division.
Mr Collins said it was difficult to explain why girls teams from Laois are not competing.
“I don’t know if the clubs are pushing it, or whether there is a shortage of coaches,” he said.
He said the league would be happy to help out clubs interested in entering girls teams in competitions, by providing courses or running coaching courses.
“We want to increase participation in clubs to run girls football teams especially in the Laois area were now we only have one club running girls football and that’s only at U-14.
“I would like the hard work to commence now in the off season and we would like to ask all our clubs, their managers, coaches and playing members for their support in helping make this vision a reality and thereby bringing success for girls teams (clubs) in the midlands both in domestic and FAI tournaments,” Mr Collins said.
“Sometimes girls come on great playing in a boys league. But they do prefer playing with girls at the same level, within their own league,” he said.
“They should have their own identity and their own team,” Mr Collins said.
Support has been promised for any clubs interested in organising new teams. “We would love to hear from any club interested in setting up a girls team,” Mr Collins said. “We are willing to help out,” he said.
“We know the girl players are out there,” he said, due to their involvement in other sports activities.
It is hoped to not only get girls involved in the local soccer leagues, but also keep them involved in sport, as there is a massive drop off for girls in sport as they reach their teens.
He added that he had made attempts to set up girls teams in Portarlington in recent years, but faced difficulties over pitches.
Anyone interested in setting up a league can contact Derek or any MSL committee member.
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