Women’s football on to a winner in Nairn as club continues to grow with over 100 members
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WOMEN’S football in Nairn is at its strongest position it has ever been with Nairn St Ninian now boasting over 100 players at the club.
Nairn St Ninian completed their most successful season in the Highlands and Islands League finishing the campaign in fourth place in the eight team division.
The Saints won eight out of 14 matches during the season to finish in the top half of the table.
Despite losing their final match of the season 7-1 to Clachnacuddin at Nairn Showfield last weekend, manager Ross Hepburn says overall it has been a fantastic campaign not just for the club, but for growing the women’s game in the town.
“The club has grown massively over the last two years,” said Hepburn.
“I have been involved with the club for two years myself and I have seen progress at the club continue to go up and up.
“We now have over 100 players across five teams at the club at different age groups, which goes from under-10 level all the way through to the senior team.
“Our senior team has around 30 players so we are sitting at a good number.
“The success of the club attracting so many players all comes down to hard work behind the scenes.
“We have organised the club to get people out and playing football and it is great to see that we have so many players at the club right now.”
Nairn St Ninian enjoyed their best season in the Highland and Islands League to finish in fourth place.
Champions Buckie won the league and were nine points ahead of second place Clachnacuddin, but Hepburn says this season results have shown that it has become a more competitive competition.
“The league and women’s football in the Highlands have grown massively in the area,” said Hepburn.
“It is fantastic to see and it can only get bigger as we go forward.
“I hope that more teams will be established and enter the Highlands and Islands League next season, but it can only grow even bigger.”
Despite the Highlands and Islands League being a summer competition, Nairn St Ninian are planning to train until the end of November as they are already looking forward to the 2023 campaign as they will aim to win their first ever trophy next season.
Buckie dominated the season by winning the league and also won the League Cup when they beat Sutherland in the final at Station Park in Nairn.
Hepburn believes enough progress has been made at the club to suggest they could be in contention to win silverware next season.
“Our development of players from youth level all the way through to the senior team makes things easier,” says Hepburn.
“And I think the women’s performances for Nairn this season has been great in inspiring younger players to help the club move forward.
“Our club’s ambition is to challenge for the league.
“Results this season has shown we are capable of doing it.”
