Linfield Ladies have announced a name change ahead of the new Premiership season in a bid to move away from 'gender assignation'.
The team has officially changed its name to Linfield Women FC, but will be known as just Linfield in the NIFL Women's Premiership.
It follows an application made to the Irish FA’s Football Committee.
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Secretary Neil Morrow sees the move as "an important step forward" for the club's female players.
Linfield said: "With our Women’s team having returned to pre-season training recently, ahead of the 2023 NIFL Danske Bank Premiership campaign, Linfield FC’s application to the IFA’s Football Committee to permit a name change from Linfield Ladies to Linfield FC Women has been granted.
"In operational terms, the change will also see the club dropping the gender assignation."
Linfield FC Women secretary Morrow added: “Whilst the governing body and regional association require a method to demarcate our teams, we see it as an important step to remove the gender assignation.
"The players are Linfield players, regardless of gender. Therefore, our team playing in the NIFL Women’s Premiership will be referred to as Linfield."
Meanwhile, the club has also confirmed it will wear darker coloured shorts from next season, abandoning the traditional white it has worn in the past.
The Blues said the move was in response to concerns of players around the "traditional use of white coloured shorts and the menstrual cycle".
It follows the example of Women’s Super League side Manchester City.
Morrow said: “Our home playing strip has traditionally seen us play in white shorts. Going forward, our players will play in darker coloured shorts, both home and away, to alleviate any anxiety this can cause."
Club stalwart Louise McFrederick added: “This is a welcome change and it’s great that the club recognises and supports the players in this way.
"The anxiety around playing and training during the menstrual cycle can affect concentration and ultimately performance, so anything that reduces that anxiety can only be of benefit.”
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