ATHLETICO Women have announced their pre-season programme for this year. Games are generally played on Sundays, kicking off at 2 pm, commencing on 24 July at home against a Bradford (Park Avenue) XI at Bradford Academy. Away friendlies follow at Farsley, and Tyersal. Then at home there’s a mid-week encounter with Field Ladies on 11 August, then Thackley, and finally Huddersfield Amateur on the 21st.

Brighouse Town have signed two new players. Lissa Woodhouse, a powerful, quick attacker joins from Barnsley Women, after taking over a year out from the game through injury. Nicole Kemp, a hard-working, tough-tackling midfielder joins from Sheffield FC. Town had a strong start to pre-season with a solid workout and a good team performance in a 3–0 win against a quality Stoke City side. Further away games include a mid-week match on 20 July against Stockport County at the Sports Village, followed on 24 July against York City at St. John’s, and 31 July against Chorley at Coppull.

Burley Trojans were privileged to play England Fans Lionesses in a charity game for Ukraine and the Wise Foundation, played at Gigg Lane.

Guest goalkeeper Charlotte Quatrine, who last played for Burley seven years ago, was awarded Player of the Match. The FA Marketing Executive is also mid-way through her own challenge to swim the equivalent of the English Channel, to raise money for Alex’s Battle Against Bowel Cancer, details on justgiving.com.

England Fans Lionesses have returned to playing after an eight-year sabbatical. Three of their current players may be familiar to our readers. Bradford girl Ellie Edwards is now at Brighouse Town, and Demi Pringle has played for Farsley Celtic and Tyersal. Shauna Messenger, who has appeared for Bradford (Park Avenue), Huddersfield Town and Leeds United, scored the fifth goal in the Lionesses’ 5–0 win.

Ilkley Town open their pre-season on 31 July at home to Skipton, then away to a Leeds United XI, home to an Ossett United XI, and Away at Silsden on 21 August.

Silsden have made made two exciting new signings, as they look forward to the new WRCWFL season, scheduled to start on 18 September. Gina Holmes honed her skills at Leeds United’s Centre of Excellence, and Lucy Ogden has spent eight years with Leeds United Academy.

Thackley's first few games under new manager James Wright are at their Ainsbury Avenue home, with games on 24 July against Farsley Junior Reserves, one week later against Bradford (Park Avenue), and a mid-week fixture on Wednesday 3 August when they take on an Huddersfield Amateur XI.