CWSSL: Leeds take a major step by fielding teams for first time
The Leeds U14 team after their win against Ballincollig.
History was made last weekend as Leeds Football Club competed in their first competitive girls' games.
The Ballyvolane club spent the past 12 months gearing up for last weekend where they fielded two teams in the U14 and U12 CWSSL.
The U14s were the first to play as they travelled to Ballincollig and came away with a win while later in the day the U12s travelled to Kanturk, which was also a very competitive game resulting in a draw. However results never mattered, it was the experience and the beginning of great things to come.
Leeds stalwart Colin Yelverton spoke excitedly about the new venture.
"The girls' section of Leeds is a brand-new and exciting venture and last weekend was a fabulous occasion for the club," said Yelverton.
"It officially took off in September 2023 when we launched our first-ever girls academy. We were blown away by the interest, over 70 girls joined within weeks, showing there was a massive demand for girls' soccer in the community.
"Introducing girls' teams was a key milestone in our five-year football development plan, which we crafted back in 2022. Now, we’ve entered two teams, one in the U14s and another in the U12s. This is a huge step for us and a proud moment in our club’s history.
The U12s played out a very entertaining 1-1 draw away to Kanturk and a non-competitive 9v9 game that Leeds won. Both teams showed incredible heart and determination in their first-ever games. For many of the girls, this was their first competitive game, and they handled it like pros. The excitement and nerves were palpable, but they channeled it all into their performance on the pitch. It was a proud day for the club and a strong indication of what's to come.
"Sisters Ali and Keela Hurley were superb for Leeds U12 side with Keela scoring a hat-trick at the age of nine while Ali was solid at centre-back.
"Right now, we’ve got over 70 enthusiastic girls playing with us across U14s, U12s and our girls-only academy. We also started with Disney Playmakers for aged four to eight and the Cadbury’s Kick-fit program for +18 which have both been a massive success. These numbers are incredible for a program that’s just started, and they show the real potential for the future of girls' soccer in our area. But with such rapid growth, we’re already feeling the pinch when it comes to facilities and resources.
"Bringing girls into the club has been incredibly important, not just for Leeds AFC Cork but for the entire community. It’s a game-changer. We’ve always had a strong boys' program, but including girls means we’re truly becoming a club for everyone.
"We’re actively seeking sponsorship to help support our growing girls teams, so if anyone out there can lend a hand, we’d love to hear from you!"
The girls come from all over the Ballyvolane/Dublin Hill area, with some having brothers who already play with us in the boys' teams. That connection has certainly made it easier and more convenient for families.
"What’s really exciting is that most of the girls are new to the club, which shows how much untapped potential there is. This broadens our community and strengthens the bonds within it. It’s convenient for families and a big step forward for us in making soccer accessible to everyone.
"Our coaching team is led by the dynamic duo of Johanna Murphy and Sarah Mehigan, who are pivotal in this new venture. They’re supported by Jason Yelverton, Kieran Murphy, Conor Henerby, Colin McCleverty, and myself. For many of us, it’s the first time coaching girls, which has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding.
"Most of us have been heavily involved with the boys' teams, so this experience is adding a whole new dimension to our coaching. Johanna and Sarah, in particular, are doing the heavy lifting, bringing a fresh perspective and unmatched enthusiasm that’s driving this project forward.
"Our hopes for the season go beyond just winning games. We want to build a strong foundation for girls' soccer in Leeds AFC Cork."
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