Goals, assists and games aplenty – women’s football is certainly moving forward at a good pace in Gloucestershire.

That’s the view of Helen Brain, who has been secretary of the Gloucestershire County Women’s Football League since 2017 – she’s been on the committee since 2009 – and is still playing the great game herself at the age of 41.

“Yes, it’s pretty strong,” Helen told The Local Answer. “In terms of the County League we’re one of the strongest in the South West.”

The County League is split into three divisions made up of 27 teams and Helen continued: “In terms of quality and quantity, women’s football is strong in this area and it’s growing all the time.

“It’s all about accessibility. These days clubs are developing their women’s and girls’ sections – it’s an area where they can strengthen – and now those girls’ teams who were formed a few years ago are getting to adult ages.

“All you need is a ball, a patch of grass and a couple of jumpers – anyone can play.”

What leagues like the Gloucestershire County Women’s Football League provide is a structure, of course.

Each division can have a maximum of 12 teams and Helen says they have not yet reached their limit.

“There is a wide range in terms of ability between Division One and Division Three,” added Helen. “We’ve got a huge range of ages across the County League, from the 16-year-olds who are lightning quick with all the ball skills to the older players who have got all the experience. Our oldest player is 50.”

Helen says the league’s officers spend a lot of time making sure that new teams are placed in the right divisions and all that research is certainly paying dividends if, for example, you look at the progress of Gloucester City who in their first season are more than holding their own in the top flight.

“Some teams want to play social football and others are ambitious,” said Helen, a central defender for Bristol and West in Division One. “There’s somewhere for everyone to play.”

There certainly is because the South West’s regional league is the next stop for the winners of Division One of the County League, a league that was voted Charter Standard League of the Year at the Grassroots Football Awards in 2018.

Helen intends to keep on playing “until my legs give up” and with her sister Sarah still playing alongside her at the age of 43 – she’s a midfielder – she has plenty of incentive!

Helen first started playing football in the County League in 2002 after leaving university.

“Football wasn’t so easily accessible to women back then,” admitted Helen, “but that’s all changed. It’s great that any girl who wants to can now play the best sport in the world.”