Bray Wanderers submit application to enter a team in the under-17 Women's National League

Bray Wanderers have submitted an application to field a team in the 2020 So Hotels Under-17 Women’s National League.

The Wicklow club have become the latest League of Ireland club to make a commitment to providing equal access to elite football for male and female players.

Shamrock Rovers have also committed to entering a team in the under-17 league next year, while Bohemians entered the league at the beginning of 2019.

Bray already field boys’ teams from under-13 to under-19 National League level as well as a senior side, and the long-term plan is to create teams from under-8s to senior level.

“The club has already had discussions with its partner clubs and the key local clubs, and intends to develop and compete with the established women’s teams and to become one of the top girls/women’s clubs in the country,” said chairman Niall O’Driscoll.

"Having had two daughters play football when they were younger and them not having had the same opportunities as boys is no longer acceptable in 2020.

"Our long-term plan with our partner clubs is to have a complete pathway for girls from age eight right up to senior level for every girl should they want to play football”

“We have started the ball rolling and the interest is fantastic with work already started to identify the players that will form the Under-17 side.

"Scouting will cover all eligible players and the club intends to build a team that will compete at the highest level against the top teams in the Só Hotels Women’s Under 17 National League.”