Last updated : Tuesday, 04 March 2025
The Wiltshire County Women's & Girls League has been a cornerstone of female football in Wiltshire since its founding in 1999. Affiliated with the Wiltshire County Football Association Limited, this organization provides structured competitive opportunities for players across different age groups, including the Ladies Premier League and youth divisions such as the U14 9-a-Side competition.
The league represents a vital pathway for female footballers in the region, offering regular fixtures and competitions that help develop talent and promote women's participation in the sport. From seasoned adult players competing in the Premier division to young girls taking their first steps in organized football, the league creates an inclusive environment for all skill levels.
As the 2024-2025 season continues, teams across Wiltshire are battling for position in their respective tables. The league's long-standing presence in the community—with over 1.3 million hits on their digital platforms—demonstrates its importance to women's football in the county and its role in supporting the growth of the female game at the grassroots level.
History
The Wiltshire County Women's & Girls Football League has been a cornerstone of women's football in the region for several decades. According to available information, the league was founded in 1972, starting with just three teams in its inaugural season.
The league has grown significantly since its humble beginnings, now featuring multiple divisions that cater to different skill levels and age groups. It operates under the umbrella of the Wiltshire County Football Association, which provides governance and support.
By 2025, the league structure includes a Premier Division and several lower divisions for women's teams. The competition also incorporates girls' divisions, ensuring development pathways from youth to adult football within the county.
Current top teams in the league include Corsham Town Women, Bemerton Heath Harlequins Women, FC Chippenham Youth Ladies, and Durrington FC Ladies. These clubs have helped elevate the standard of play throughout the competition.
The league has established itself as an important part of England's National League System, sitting at Level 11 (Step 7) of the football pyramid. This positioning allows teams to progress upward into higher regional or national competitions based on performance.
Throughout its history, the league has remained committed to growing women's and girls' football in Wiltshire, creating opportunities for female players of all ages to participate in organized competition.
Age Groups and Divisions
The Wiltshire County Women's & Girls League offers competition across multiple age categories, providing structured football opportunities for females throughout the county. The league encompasses both youth and adult divisions to accommodate players at various stages of development.
For adult women, the league structure includes Ladies Premier League, Division 1, League 1, League 2, and League 3. These divisions ensure appropriate competitive levels for teams based on their skill and experience.
Youth football is well-represented with age groups spanning from U9 to U16. Specifically, the U16 category features three tiers: Championship, League 2, and Premier divisions, allowing for skill-appropriate competition.
The U15, U14, U13, U12, U11, U10, and U9 age groups each have their own dedicated competitions. The U10 age group notably participates in Spring and Summer leagues, providing year-round playing opportunities.
Most age groups participate in cup competitions alongside their league fixtures. The youth cups culminate in finals played at a single venue on the same day, creating an exciting showcase of talent across the age ranges.
For the 2025 Summer Competitions, the league has expanded its offerings to include County Age Group Fixtures for U11s, U13s, U15s, and U18s. A new addition includes Girls MCC Hub Clubs competitions at the U14/16 level.
The league structure ensures progressive development pathways from junior to senior football while maintaining appropriate competitive environments for all participants.
Committee/Staff/Contacts
The Wiltshire County Women's & Girls League is managed by a dedicated committee of volunteers who oversee its operations. Mike Alford serves as the Fixture Secretary for all leagues, having taken over from Steve on January 12, 2009.
For referee-related inquiries, the league directs participants to contact Ella Broad via email at Ella.Broad@WiltshireFA.com. She handles referee appointments and related matters for the league competitions.
The league operates under the governance of the Wiltshire FA, which provides administrative support and oversight. The Wiltshire FA has a Board of Directors and Members of Council who contribute to football development across the county.
Contact information for team managers and coaches in the Under 14 division is maintained in a dedicated contacts list. This resource helps facilitate communication between teams regarding fixtures and other league matters.
For general inquiries about the Wiltshire County Women's & Girls League, participants can reach out to the appropriate committee member depending on the nature of their question. The league maintains updated contact information to ensure smooth communication channels between all stakeholders.
Teams
The Wiltshire County Women's & Girls League hosts several teams across different divisions. These teams represent various communities throughout Wiltshire and neighboring areas.
Among the notable teams in the league is Kingsdown FC Ladies 1st team, who have been active in recent fixtures. Their participation showcases the competitive nature of the women's football scene in Wiltshire.
Bath City Women United and Bath Athena WFC also compete in the league, representing the Bath area in women's football. These teams contribute to the geographic diversity of the competition.
Trowbridge Wanderers Ladies first team is another participant in the league. They represent the Trowbridge community in women's football competitions.
A relatively new addition to the league is Bemerton Heath Harlequins Ladies team. Created in July 2023, this marks their first season in competitive football and they've already reached a cup final, demonstrating impressive progress for a newly formed squad.
The league structure allows for teams of various experience levels to participate. From well-established clubs to newly formed squads, the inclusive nature of the league helps promote women's football across Wiltshire.
Teams compete in various cup competitions alongside their league fixtures, providing additional competitive opportunities throughout the season.
Players
The Wiltshire County Women's & Girls League features numerous talented players across its divisions. From established veterans to promising youngsters, the league provides competitive opportunities for female footballers in the region.
Notable players in the league include Danielle Burgess, Charlotte Canning, Natalie Dalton, and Hayley Dollery who represent Durrington FC Ladies. These athletes demonstrate the diverse talent pool within the league's competitive structure.
Many players begin in the youth divisions and progress through the ranks to eventually compete in the Ladies Premier League. This development pathway has proven successful in nurturing local talent.
The league maintains player statistics and performance data throughout the season. This information helps teams track development and highlights standout performers across different positions and age groups.
Several clubs operate multiple teams across different age categories, allowing players to find appropriate competitive levels. This structure ensures participants can enjoy football regardless of experience or skill level.
Coaches and development officers throughout Wiltshire work closely with players to enhance technical abilities and tactical understanding. This support system helps maintain high standards of play throughout the league.
Players often participate in county selection programs, with many going on to represent Wiltshire in regional competitions. These opportunities provide additional platforms for player development and recognition.
