President of the National Association for Women’s Football (NAWF) Charmaine Wade said the current developmental league is integral to widening the local pool for international selection.
In an invited comment with Stabroek Sports, Wade said: “It is very important in bridging the gap and we will be using this opportunity or pathway when it comes to our national team selection with local players.
“As you are aware, the Lady Jaguars comprise mostly overseas players so we are trying to widen the pool when it comes to the Lady Jaguars. Of course it won’t happen overnight but this is the start of that process,” she added.
Asked how much money was being pumped into the league and if it was adequate to build the women’s game, Wade declared: “Approximately over US$20,000 is going to be pumped into the league yearly. It is not enough because its money strictly from FIFA and the GFF and we need sponsors to come on board”.
She added “In this league, we will also focus on hinterland development which we have been lacking for a longtime. We started this year with four hinterland teams and hoping that next year we can expand on the number”.
The event is being contested in a group format, with the teams competing in three districts. Three points will be awarded for a win, while one point will be afforded to both teams for a draw.
The Georgetown Football Association (GFA), West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) and Bartica Football Association comprises district one, with Fruta Conquerors, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Foxy Ladies and Bartica the participating teams.
District two features the Berbice Football Association (BFA), East Demerara Football Association (EDFA), Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) and East Bank Football Association (EBFA).
The competing teams are New Amsterdam Warriors, West Side Conquerors, Demerara Queens, Kwakwani Strikers and Kuru-Kuru Warriors. The third and final district is the Rupununi Football Association, with Saints FC, Snatchers FC, Paiwomak FC and Shulinab FC the competing teams.
Teams will be allowed to register a maximum of 15 players in the seven-a-side event, with a minimum of 12 players allowed. Similarly, each team must register four under-15 players in the championship.
