Women's soccer is going from strength to strength in Bermuda -- and organisers hope it will gain more popularity this season.

That's going to be one of the main goals when the season officially kicks off on Sunday with a full slate of three matches taking place at various venues, all games preceding Premier or First Division matches.

Although there haven't been any addition to the seven teams of a year ago, officials are convinced that it is best to proceed with this number for the time being.

"We are going to take small constructive steps towards advancing women's soccer in Bermuda,'' said Michelle White, the BFA's chairman of the women's division of soccer.

"There are plans in motion to progressively move women's football into the new season.'' But she was quick to point out that carefully planned steps would be taken in the overall development plans of soccer in general -- a move that would most surely be beneficial.

The seven teams entered again this season are Rude Girls, PHC, Royals, Prospect, Wolves Girls, Little Venice Rookies and Dandy Stars.

White is hoping that the players will be encouraged by the accomplishments of the league and the national team a year ago and she reckoned that it was clear to see that there could be opportunities lying ahead for the players, more so than in the past.

"We have more opportunities as far as local competition and overseas international play is concerned, but this year we are going to be also focussing on the junior girls and maybe putting some plans in play with the school systems,'' she said.

However she pointed out that the senior players were not to be forgotten and since some would be leaving the game soon it was important to encourage them to get involved in refereeing and coaching which are areas where some urgent assistance is needed at a club and national level.

The highlight of last season was Bermuda's involvement in the Caribbean Football Union's Caribbean Cup Championships which saw Bermuda win its two legs against Bahamas in May before going to Haiti in July to play in the proper round where they lost to Haiti and Jamaica.

There are no major international tournaments that Bermuda envision entering to date, but this doesn't mean that there will be no incoming or out going tours.

In addition to the regular league play this season with each clubs playing two rounds against each other, there will be the Konica Cup and the FA Cup rounds which will make-up a busy schedule for the females.

ROLL OF HONOUR FOR LAST SEASON 1999-2000 CHARITY CUP Champions -- Devonshire Colts Runners-up -- Vasco (Devonshire Colts 3 Vasco 1) MARTONMERE CUP Champions -- Dandy Town Runners-up -- Wolves (Dandy Town 4 Wolves 2 (aet)) DUDLEY EVE TROPHY Champions -- Devonshire Colts Runners-up -- Vasco (Devonshire Colts 6 Vasco 0 (1st leg)) (Devonshire Colts 1 Vasco 3 (2nd leg)) Devonshire Colts won 7-3 on aggregate) FRIENDSHIP TROPHY Champions -- Devonshire Colts Runners-up -- PHC (Devonshire Colts 3 PHC 1) FA CUP Champions -- North Village Runners-up -- Devonshire Colts (North Village 2 Devonshire Colts 1) DIVISION SHIELD Champions -- St. George's Runners-up -- Young Men's Social Club (St. George's 3 Social Club 1) PREMIER DIVISION Champions -- PHC Runners-up -- North Village PREMIER DIVISION Champions -- Devonshire Cougars Runners-up -- Ireland Rangers COMMERCIAL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE Champions -- Robin Hood Runners-up -- BAA Wanderers DIVISION TWO Champions -- Tuff Dogs Runners-up -- Devonshire Colts All-Stars WOMEN'S LEAGUE Champions -- Rude Girls Runners-up -- PHC Zebras 1999-2000 FINAL STANDINGS Premier Division PHC12319 1813937 Dandy Town10628 1823329 Wolves8629 1824226 Somerset7725 1812819 Boulevard5936 181144 First Division Dev.Cougars8216 1323026 Social Club8531 1342122 St. George's5423 1443616 Paget2836 140146 Note: An abandoned match between Somerset Eagles and Ireland Rangers was declared null and void, hence their being listed playing a game less.

No holds barred: Gripping action from last season's Women's Allstar game.