Sport
Wigan Athletic confirm the launch of their first-ever Women’s team
Brilliant news.
Danny Jones -
7th March 2024 
Wigan Athletic Football Club have officially revealed the launch of their first-ever women’s team which is set to be formed ahead of the 2024/25 season.
A landmark moment in the EFL club’s history and another positive step forward for women’s sport here in Greater Manchester, Wigan‘s first-ever professional women’s team was finally announced on Thursday, 7 March.
The club’s registration was fully approved by the Lancashire FA this week and their place within the female footballing pyramid and league participation is set to be confirmed soon.
As per a statement on the Latcis website, the club say they are “currently working on securing a regular home for the Women’s team to play their fixtures on a Sunday and trials for the squad will be held in May ahead of the 2024/25 season.”
While more details on player trials and full league confirmation are set to follow in due course, the club say they are looking to “create a female focus group with anyone who is involved in the women’s game, including local grassroots football teams playing a big part as they lend their experience, help us shape the offer and build on the great work which already goes on across the borough.”
The press release goes on to add that “the long-term vision is to offer a structured team that falls under the official Wigan Athletic brand and forms part of our historic Football Club”, with an aim to develop younger age groups in the future” and build a professional environment and infrastructure for the future.
Speaking on the confirmation, chairman Ben Goodburn said: “We are thrilled to launch the Club’s first official Wigan Athletic Women’s team. Since we took ownership [having been bought by entrepreneur and Wigan Warriors owner, Mike Danson] enhancing football opportunities for women and girls in the town has been a key priority of ours.“
“We will help provide the team with the resources, support and governance it needs to grow, and we are confident this investment will not only help the team but women’s football in the borough.”
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Sporting Director Gregor Rioch said of the next chapter for local side: “This is groundbreaking news for us at Wigan Athletic Football Club… The women’s game has progressed rapidly over the past 10 years and it’s really important we develop our own and give more opportunities to women and girls in the area.
“The North West is a hotbed of football and Wigan as a borough is well-versed with women and girls football teams at different clubs who are doing an amazing job, and we see this as a great opportunity for Wigan Athletic to start from a fresh and enhance the offer.”
With Genna Banks on board as Head of Safeguarding, she added: “Outside of work I have been part of a really successful grassroots rugby club and it is great to be involved in supporting the Football Club in developing a women’s and girls section.
“It’s really important we continue the great work of the local grassroots clubs and make sure the girls in our town have the opportunity to represent their home town Club. I’m sure the grassroots clubs will work with us to help build on the offer. All clubs want their girls to go on and play for the best and we are hoping we can provide that in the future.” Hear, hear!
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Featured Images — Dan Harmond (via Flickr)/Wigan Athletic
