SPORTING slogans can often be questionable but there's an undeniable truth in stating that the Sports Direct Women's Premiership 'Means more than Ever'.
Not only are there two more clubs in top flight, with Larne Women and Ballymena United Women expanding the county Antrim contingent to six teams and the overall tally to 10, but the total prize money available has more than trebled too.
With professional contracts at last allowed, after a season's delay, the new era will be one of continued growth, especially with many more weekend fixtures.
Two of the four Belfast teams meet at Solitude on Sunday (4pm), with champions Cliftonville Ladies hosting Linfield Women, while Crusaders Strikers welcome newcomers Ballymena to Seaview at 2pm.
Down representatives Glentoran Women will take on Derry City Women at Ashfield Boys High School (2pm), with Larne travelling into Tyrone to meet Sion Swifts Ladies (also 2pm) at the Melvin Sports Complex in Strabane.
The fifth fixture pits Lisburn Ladies against Mid Ulster Ladies at the Bluebell Stadium (4pm).
The games keep coming with a second round of matches on Wednesday, April 26, with Derry City hosting Cliftonville Ladies at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Ballymena against Sion at the Showgrounds, and Mid Ulster against Glentoran at the Mid Ulster Sports Complex just outside Cookstown, all with 7.45pm kick-offs.
NIFL Chief Executive Gerard Lawlor, said: "We're delighted to see the return of the Women's Premiership and for the first time with our new title sponsor Sports Direct.
"We welcome two new clubs to the top-flight of female football in Northern Ireland and with so much excitement about the new season it really does now mean more than ever, and we can't wait to get started
"We have reaffirmed our commitment by the substantial increase in prize money to participating clubs….We wish all the clubs the best for the start of the new campaign."
The Cliftonville squad includes NI captain Marissa Callaghan and her international colleagues Kirsty and Caitlin McGuinness, Abbie Magee, Kelsie Burrows, Danielle Maxwell, Fi Morgan, Toni-Leigh Finnegan, Louise McDaniel, and previous NI player Vicky Carleton.
The Glens, Cliftonville's closest challengers last season, are strong too, with Joely Andrews, Caragh Hamilton, Chloe McCarron, Nadene Caldwell, Kerry Beattie, Jess Foy, Sam Kelly, and the vastly experienced Kelly Bailie. With Demi Vance and Emily Wilson having re-joined the east Belfast outfit, on professional contracts, they will surely battle all the way with the Reds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0GXnkj50Hg
