A NEW project aimed at giving women the platform to showcase their football skills at the highest possible level has been launched by Hereford FC.

The club's women's team start their maiden season in the Mid West Counties Female league next month where they will be joined by fellow Hereford sides Bartestree Women and reigning champions Lads Club.

As part of initiative the club are taking part in the BBC Get Inspired scheme during August which gives women and girls the opportunity to receive coaching by the Hereford FC staff as part of an open door session on Tuesday evening.

“We wanted to set-up a team which gives another opportunity to play at a higher level and we’re not going to stand in their way if they want to move up the divisions," said manager Scott Russell.

“We want to open the door to women’s football in the county. The club have wanted to do it from the beginning but following the transition between UITC it felt the right time to go with it."

Hereford FC Women are a young side with their average age between 16 and 18 and will play their home matches at Pegasus Juniors.

They started their pre-season preparations with a 3-0 victory over Bartestree Women with forward Roxana Dinescu netting a brace and a trialist the third.

“We had quite a few players away on holiday and we didn’t know what to expect but we felt comfortable and could have won by more,” added Russell.

“It’s our first year so we want to be competitive and challenge near the top but when you start a new team you have to leave time to gel.

“Our main aim is to get promotion in time and hopefully like the men’s first team we will get more promotions.

“We are talking to women in higher divisions who don’t want to join yet but if we do get promotion then we will attract better players.

“At the moment the teams consists of local Hereford girls who are having the opportunity to have a professional set-up which includes everything the men get."