The Island will be competing in this year's Women's Under-17 World Cup qualifiers, Bermuda Football Association (BFA) announced yesterday.

Training sessions will be held once a week throughout March at BFA Field from 5 pm to 6.30pm, beginning next Tuesday.

During the months of April, May and June, sessions will –increase to two and three sessions a week.

In previous years the tournament has been held late June or mid August.

Dates and venues for this year's qualifiers are yet to be determined.

BFA youth director Devarr Boyles said the competition was for players born in 1995, –although those born in ‘96 and ‘97 were also eligible.

“We're hoping this will springboard into a lot of things for women's football in Bermuda,” he said. “We want to develop women's leagues and a national academy.”

Boyles added that he was hoping next week's first session would attract around 50 to 60 female players.

Mark Wade, the BFA player development committee chairman, said they planned to organise warm-up games for the women's under-17 national team ahead of the qualifiers.

“A lot will depend on funds but we're certainly looking to put together a programme for the women's team.”

The BFA are also looking to appoint a national academy coach specifically for women's football.