Although summer sport is now in full flight, football remains at the front of mind with a new look women’s football season pencilled in.

The 2021 Limestone Coast Football League will kick off on Friday, February 5 with nine rounds to be contested.

The later start is welcomed by players and fans alike as teams will be able to build momentum without interruptions until the grand final on Sunday, March 18.

Previous seasons have been spread across the entire summer with a large Christmas break in the middle and last year’s competition spanned four months from November to March.

Despite next year’s season expected to be played in a much smaller time frame, the same format will remain with 10 clubs aiming to field sides.

But players will enjoy more time in the spotlight with some Friday night games under lights also in the works.

However, the most exciting addition to the women’s football world will be a new juniors competition.

A seven-round season has been speculated, which will provide young girls the perfect introduction to the game.

Previously, girls looking to have a kick were forced to choose between two daunting options.

Some elected to play against more experienced boys their age, while others stood against much older females in the women’s league.

But the new competition creates a more comfortable path for players looking to begin their football journey as the women’s game continues to grow.

South Gambier player Simone Macdonald said the introduction of a junior competition would be a huge boost to all levels of the sport.

“To see some of the young girls have an opportunity outside of the boys’ league to have good run with girls their own age is amazing,” she said.

“It is awesome for the seniors as well because the younger players will have the experience behind them to move forward and step up.”

With a start date for the upcoming season in place, the Demons have already started training and hit the track last week.

South was the team to beat in the 2020-21 competition and was in pole position to secure the premiership, but the season-ending games were cancelled due to COVID-19.

Macdonald said it had been great to catch up with her teammates after a period of time where a return looked unlikely.

“It has been a long year and it seemed footy may not come around again, so we are pretty excited to get back out there with a great bunch of girls,” she said.

“Everybody is just giving it a fair old crack and we are loving it.”