New girls’ section is a boost for Livi Hearts

LIVINGSTON Hearts continue to prosper with the introduction of a brand new girls’ football section which is now in operation at the Dedridge-based club.

Having established their under-17 side for females, they hope to expand to include under-15 and under-13 teams to provide opportunities for girls at all levels .

One of the biggest community football clubs in the east of Scotland, Livingston Hearts already runs development teams and boys’ teams at every age level and benefits from its own soccer school.

Nigel Thorpe is the recently-appointed secretary for Livingston Hearts girls and is excited at the prospect of working under such a large umbrella. He recently left Whitburn Girls FC looking for a new challenge and most of that team has followed him to Livingston Hearts.

“The girls and I were leaving Whitburn and looking for a fresh start,” he explained. “A fantastic opportunity arose from Livingston Hearts seeking to start a girls’ section. Livingston Hearts are an SFA Quality Mark Development Club and a big organisation within West Lothian. We took the chance to get involved because the club wants to start under-13 teams and under-15 teams in the Central East South East League.

“That’s the league we’re aiming to get into, which means we would play against other girls’ teams like Murieston United, Hearts, Falkirk, Hutchison Vale and Hibs. It’s quite a variety of teams to play against because the league covers clubs as far north as Dundee. It is full of international players at under-17 level and under-15 level so it will be a strong challenge for the girls, but it’s one they are going to relish when the league restarts in March next year.

“The under-17 team has started training already. We have two good coaches, plus a goalkeeping coach. Joining Livingston Hearts makes us feel like we’ve walked into a well-run family-orientated club.

“We are looking for new players to enhance the squad. Girls born in 1998, 1997, 1996 and 1995 are all encouraged to come along and get involved, as well as those younger because we want to get the younger teams off the ground in time.”

Anyone interested in joining Livingston Hearts girls’ team, can call Nigel Thorpe on 07969 495 326 or email [email protected]