Team forced to boot out Sophie (From Barry And District News)

Team forced to boot out Sophie

A BARRY female football player is fighting to play in a boys team because she thinks it is unfair to stop her joining in.

Parents, her manager and her supporters are desperate to keep Sophie Ingle in the team which she has played for since she was in primary school.

The 13-year-old from Brook Street wants to continue playing for the Westend boys team, but is not allowed to by the Football Association of Wales because of their rules.

At the age of 13 the girls have to join a girls' team if there is one in the area - at 14-years-old she can join a women's team.

Sophie told the News: "I think it is unfair to stop me playing." The centre midfield player is one of the best footballers in the team.

Her manager, Mike Ling, is adamant that Sophie is the backbone of the squad. He said: "We play better when Sophie is on the pitch. I think she is capable of playing with the best in her age group. She is not physically weaker than the other male players in the team and she is prepared to compete with the boys. She is to my mind 50 percent of the team." Sophie's mum Katherine added: "We know she is one of the best players in the team. If we have to go to court to give Sophie the right to play, we will."

Honorary secretary of the Football Association of Wales, Doug Langley said: "If there is a girl's team she can play in then the rule is that she can not be registered as a player on the boys team if she is 13. "Sea View and Cogan Coronation have girl's football clubs. When she reaches 14 she will be able to play for a ladies club. In the end it will benefit the girl to play in an all-girl squad."