Caley Thistle Women have entered a new partnership with Thistle Girls to provide a pathway for young players.
Thistle Girls have teams ranging from primary one age all the way through to under-16 level, but had not previously been attached to a senior women’s club.
The new partnership will now link grassroots football to the senior game in Inverness, in the absence of Caley Thistle Women’s own academy.
Caley Thistle Women’s manager Karen Mason hopes the link will result in more young players opting to take up and continue playing beyond youth level.
Mason said: “I’m delighted that both clubs have agreed to enter into this partnership. I believe working with local clubs is the best way to offer opportunities for players to develop and most importantly, stay involved in the game.
“Having the opportunity to work with a prominent club like Thistle Girls FC is very exciting, and everyone at ICTWFC is looking forward to it.”
Thistle Girls head coach Lee Murray feels the partnership will benefit his own club, by enhancing the options available to girls throughout the city and surrounding areas.
Murray said: “Thistle Girls FC are delighted that our girls section is to join with ICTWFC.
“Thistle Girls FC have gone from strength to strength over the past few years and we see this partnership as a natural progression that will allow us to continue to develop and grow as a club.
“First and foremost, linking with ICTWFC gives our girls the opportunity to aim for the very top, with a pathway now open to both their development squad and ultimately their first team.
“With our teams ranging from P1 to under 16s, and numbers at around 70 girls at the club currently, this provides these girls with a fantastic opportunity.”
