Football club launches its first women's team

Odd Down AFC in Bath has launched a team for women aged 17 and 18

A football club founded 123 years ago has launched its first women's team.

Odd Down AFC in Bath now has a women's team for 17 and 18 year olds.

They are currently still wearing the men's old kit - but have just secured a sponsorship for new shirts.

Kira Macer, one of the players, said: "It's hard because women have often been excluded, but now that women's football is on the rise, it does feel good.

"It's an inspiration to young women in the game."

Goalkeeper Rosie Kelsey said she followed her brother's footsteps into the sport

Ms Macer said they came to the club "with nothing".

"The club was welcoming and sorted us out with the kit, which is the men's," she added. "That was a bit hard because we didn't have our own things.

"I think we will go far, we're excited for the next season. Everyone will be behind us and I think that's all that matters - people believing in you."

Team captain Grace Hemmings, 17, said it was "tough" growing up playing football as a girl.

"When I was younger, there weren't many girl's football teams around," she explained. "Gradually, it's become more common.

"I think the Euros [European Championships] brought women's football more in focus and people watched it more."

Assistant coach Ross Andrews said the girls are "a fantastic bunch"

Rosie Kelsey, the team's goalkeeper, said she started playing because of her brother.

"My older brother is a goalkeeper and I really looked up to him, growing up," she said.

"I followed in his footsteps. You've got to be a bit of a nutter - if you're not a nutter maybe the position [goalkeeper] is not for you."

Assisting coach Ross Andrews said the players are a "fantastic bunch".

"They've beaten some big teams in some friendlies recently, which we're proud of," he added.

Rob Macer, head coach, said: "We're going to be the pioneers of women's football at Odd Down and hopefully we'll attract more girls in.

"The idea really is to build a really good women's section. That would be the dream."

The team has secured a sponsor and will get their own kit soon