Women's Premiership (Northern Ireland)
| Country |
 Northern Ireland |
|---|---|
| Confederation | UEFA |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Divisions | 1 |
| Number of teams | 8 |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| Relegation to | Championship |
| Domestic cup(s) | Irish Women's Cup |
| International cup(s) | UEFA Champions League |
| Current champions |
Linfield Ladies (1st title) (2016) |
| Most championships | Glentoran Belfast United (7 titles) |
| Website | Website |
The Women's Premiership is the top level women's football league of Northern Ireland. The league was called the NIWFA Division League 1 until 2004 and Premier League until 2016. In 2016 it was rebranded the Women's Premiership and is now run by the NI Football League since then.[1]
Eight teams play a double round robin to crown the champion, which qualifies for a spot in the UEFA Women's Champions League. The eighth place gets relegated to the Women's Championship 1, the seventh place plays a two-legged relegation playoff against the runner up of the Women's Championship.
History
In women's football the first league season was played out in 1977.[2] Organised by the Northern Ireland Women's Football Association (NIWFA) the league was simply called the NIWFA Division League 1.
In 2004 the Division 1 was replaced by the Women's Premier League.
In 2016, after 40 years of administering and developing women's football locally, the league was rebranded the Women's Premiership and is run now by the Northern Ireland Football League.[3] The main sponsor and name giver is Danske Bank.
2016 Teams
The following teams make up the 2014 season.
| Team | Location | Ground |
|---|---|---|
| Crusaders Newtownabbey Strikers | Belfast | Seaview |
| Glentoran Belfast United | Belfast | Billy Neill Playing Field (pitch 2) |
| Linfield Ladies | Belfast | Billy Neill Playing Field (pitch 1) |
| Derry City | Derry | Riverside Stadium (YMCA Grounds) |
| Mid-Ulster Ladies | Cookstown | Mid Ulster Sports Arena |
| Newry City Ladies | Newry | The Showgrounds |
| Sion Swifts Ladies | Belfast | |
| Cliftonville | Belfast | Solitude |
List of champions
Before 2004 the winner of the Division 1 league was national champion. The first season was played out in 1977.[4][5]
- 1977-1998: ?
- 1999: Lisburn Distillery Predators[6]
- 2000: Lisburn Distillery Predators[6]
- 2001: Lisburn Distillery Predators
- 2002: Newtownabbey Strikers
- 2003: Newtownabbey Strikers
|
List does only include known titles (misses 1977-1998). |
References
- ↑ http://www.nifootballleague.com/womens-premiership/news/item/2016-danske-bank-women-s-premiership-launched
- ↑ http://www.irishfa.com/ifa-domestic/leagues/womens-football-leagues
- ↑ http://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/nifl-announce-new-northern-ireland-10995017
- ↑ "History". Northern Ireland Women's Football Association. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
- ↑ "Northern Ireland - List of Women Champions". RSSSF. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
- 1 2 "FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT FOCUS!". irishfa.com. 15 October 2013. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
... and in 1999, 2000, and 2001 Lisburn Distillery Predators won the NIWFA Premier League
- ↑ "Glentoran take title". shekicks.net. 29 July 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
- ↑ http://www.leaguewebsite.co.uk/northernirelandwomensfootballassociation/LeagueNews/view/28513
- ↑ http://www.glentoran.com/news/champions-again-0
- ↑ http://de.women.soccerway.com/national/northern-ireland/premier-league/2015/regular-season/r31178/
- ↑ http://www.linfieldfc.com/linfieldladiesnews.aspx?id=15884
External links
- Official Site
- League at leaguewebsite.co.uk - Standings, results, fixtures
- women.soccerway.com; results, standings & fixtures
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