Sutherland are set to begin new Highlands and Islands League season as they move from Helmsdale to Golspie
SUTHERLAND Women are set to begin their Highlands and Islands League campaign in Golspie when they take on Caithness in the Far North Derby this weekend.
The club are set to move their home matches to Golspie after previously playing most of their matches in Helmsdale for the previous six years.
Their first home match of the season will take place at King George V Park, home of North Caledonian League outfit Golspie Sutherland, against Caithness on Sunday with kick-off at 2pm.
The rest of Sutherland Women’s home matches will take place at Stafford Park in Golspie.
Club secretary Franci Hutchison hopes they can get their campaign off to a winning start.
She said: “The team are looking forward to the fixture being played at King George V Park and hopefully a good crowd will show up to support.
“The club look forward to working with Golspie Sutherland to promote football in the area for all.
“We would like to thank the Bunillidh Social Club for allowing us use of the pitch, clubhouse and facilities at Couper Park since the founding of our club in 2019.”
Sutherland Women joined the Highlands and Islands League in 2021 and have become one of the strongest teams in the division in recent years.
They won the Highlands and Islands League Cup in 2021 and reached the final in 2022and in 2024.
Hutchison says the squad are in a good place going into the new season and will be looking to pick up some silverware in 2025.
“Preparations are going well and we have had a good influx of new players joining the squad.
“We are missing quite a few players due to injury and illness, some have other commitments they need to focus on and others away to university and college.
“With Ross and Cromarty not competing in the league this season we have benefitted from a couple of the girls from their team joining Sutherland.
“As a club we will always try to stay at the top of the league table and reach cup finals. We are lucky to have good community support and have been fortunate to be on the receiving end of some generous funding streams.”
As well as Sutherland and Caithness, other teams who are playing in the Highlands and Islands League this season include Buckie, Clachnacuddin, Nairn St Ninian and Orkney.
Last season’s champions Ross County have decided not to defend their title this season while Ross and Cromarty have folded.
Sutherland are also keen to take on new players to their squad and encourage anyone who is interested to get in touch as well as anyone looking to sponsor the team.
Huchison said; “We are always keen to get more folk along to training, so please if you are considering football competitively or just want to come along for fitness and to meet some new people, please do!
“At the moment we are particularly keen to get some goalkeepers involved for the senior squad.
As a community club we always work hard to make women and girls feel welcome to join in our training sessions and compete in the Highlands and Islands League and Cup.
“We focus on making football a safe, fun space where girls and women can relax, have fun and progress as footballers.
“Fingers crossed that this season we can do more of that and keep the momentum going to stay at the top of the league and progress through cup stages.
“As always, competing in the Highlands and Islands League/Cup comes with significant costs - transport, venue hire and hospitality.
“If any individuals or businesses are interested in sponsorship opportunities we are on the look out and would love to hear from you - get in touch at sutherlandwomen@gmail.com.”