6 Aside Festival Kicks off the second season of the league....

The weather in Carlisle was kind to the launch of the new season in the women's game. With 7 teams taking part in the festival at the newly opened Sheepmount astro-turf facility, plenty of football was played with teams getting some last minute preparation for the new season.

The women's game in the county is going from strength to strength with more players aged 16 and over than ever before taking part in regular football. A considerable amount of hard work has gone on in local clubs in the last few years with teams now reaping the rewards with plenty of young players coming through the age groups. The Cumbria Women's League has also given 'older', more experienced players the opportunity to take part in a local county competition.

The festival was played out in a friendly and fun atmosphere with players making the best use of some extra game time. Teams from Abbeytown Women, Harraby Ladies, Crown Newlaithes, Carlisle City and a visiting team from Tyneside took advantage of the free festival.

More than 60 women took part in the matches, and are all eagerly awaiting the start of the new season. The Cumbria Women's League would like to thank Carlisle Leisure Limited for the use of the facility and the support extended to the women's game.

The league kicks off in a couple of weeks. A number of the clubs will also be taking part in The FA Women's Cup for the first time - good luck to all those teams involved.

With the England Women reaching the European Championships Final on Thursday, women's football is really on a high. Support the women against Germany, live coverage on BBC 2, kick off at 5pm on Thursday 10 September 2009.

For further information on women or girls football or to join a local club, please contact Helen Aitchison, Girls and Women's Football Development Officer on 01900 872310 or Helen.Aitchison@CumberlandFA.com