Ross County form partnership with Invergordon Girls to boost women's football in Ross-shire
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Ross County have announced the formation of a new partnership with Invergordon Girls that will create a pathway for female players from childhood through to the senior game.
Invergordon Girls formed two years ago have played in age group leagues in 2019, before being mostly restricted to friendly matches because of the pandemic.
As the only girls’ club in Ross-shire after a team in Dingwall folded earlier this year, the partnership makes sense as the Staggies expand their portfolio into the women’s game.
“We see this as a fantastic landmark for both sides. Invergordon will benefit from our skills, resources and capabilities, and we will benefit by working with a well-run team that have really progressed female football in Ross-shire over the years,” County’s academy and community manager Gordon Duff said.
“Through our communications both parties really see the value it could bring to our local community, and giving our young people opportunities and a platform to progress and develop.”
Head coach Iain MacIver echoed those sentiments, adding: “To partner with Ross County is a great boost for us. We now have a pathway that can support what we have been trying to push toward.
“We are delighted to be part of the Ross County family.
“Being a small, volunteer-run team, we have the infrastructure to be where we are now, but don’t always necessarily have the infrastructure to support where we want to be, so this will give us a great outlet to try and fulfil our vision for the long term.”
Invergordon Girls, who will enter competitions as Ross County Girls and Women from next season, hope to have several youth teams on the go in 2021.
They plan to enter at least one side into both an under-15s and under-13s league, with an under-11s side also entering local festivals when they are allowed to resume.
Longer term, as players grow older, the plan is for Ross County Women to enter an under-17s league and eventually become part of Scottish Women’s Football’s senior Highlands and Islands League.
