Brora Rangers and Sutherland Football Club to compete in Highlands and Islands League
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NINE clubs will compete in the Highlands and Islands League for the 2021 season.
Brora Rangers and Sutherland Women's Football Club will attempt to challenge champions Clachnacuddin for the league title.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle Development and Nairn St Ninian will also be competing for the title along with Buckie Ladies Development and Caithness Ladies.
In addition, Northern Isles outfits Kirkwall City and Orkney will be taking part.
However the Highlands and Islands League looks unlikely to kick off as scheduled next month due to the impact of the pandemic.
The 2021 season was penned to start on Sunday, March 14, and while not confirmed, it is envisaged the season will start later than planned.
A statement from Scottish Women’s Football said meetings will take place in the coming weeks to decide when the 2021 season can begin.
A spokesman said: “A provisional season calendar was circulated to all clubs with an anticipated March 14 start date.
“However with the current ongoing restrictions resulting in no football activity throughout the whole of the girls and women’s game, this date is now looking unrealistic.
“We are in dialogue with the League management Committee and are awaiting further updates from the Joint Response Group (JRG) before progressing any further plans.”
The Highlands and Islands League was established in 2019 when eight teams took part. Clachnacuddin won the league championship with Lewis and Harris winning the League Cup.
However, the Western Isles outfit, who were top of the division, had to pull out due to logistics issues which meant they could not fulfil matches.
All levels of women’s football in Scotland is currently suspended by the Scottish Football Association due to the impact of the pandemic.
A review to restarting the women’s game will take place on Monday, March 1.