PROFESSIONAL women's soccer moved a step closer in the North-East yesterday with the relaunch of Sunderland AFC Women.
The event follows the controversial acquisition of the Kestrels, who topped the AXA FA Women's Premier League Northern Division last season.
SAFC marketing director Bob Oates said: "It which will give budding young woman footballers in the North-East a fantastic opportunity and will also help the players realise their ambitions on a bigger stage.
"Women's football teams are sprouting up all over the place and it is only a matter of time before we see professional women's football, and we want to be ready for when that happens."
First team captain Karen Scorer said: "This is a clear message to the thousands of girls who are taking up football that the opportunity is there for them to play for a top club right here in the North-East." The Kestrels, who formed in 1989, are preparing to compete next season in the ten team National Division against such sides as Arsenal, Charlton and Everton.
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