Brighton have informed the SFL they won’t be fielding a women's senior side in 2025

A Southern Football League club has been forced to withdraw its women’s team for the 2025 season but not all is lost with the future still looking bright. Here’s why.

Brighton have pulled out of fielding a side in Southern Football League Womens competition in 2025.

President Darren Clark said it comes due to a lack of numbers.

“It is extremely disappointing,” Clark said.

“Female football is growing but in some areas it can be quite tough because players move.

“Last year Glenorchy were the side that struggled to fill a team and this season it is our turn.

“So we just decided the best thing was to pull the side completely and try again next year.”

Brighton Robins Women's Football Club – SFLW. Picture: Supplied

The Robins won their first women’s flag in 2019, going through the entire season undefeated and dominating the competition.

It was also the club’s first year in the women’s competition, two years after the SFLW was formed.

Brighton put a stop to Lindisfarne as the Blues were chasing three flags in a row.

“We will still fill an under-18s girls side, so there is potential for the club to get back to having a women’s side in the future,” Clark said.

“We did talk about potentially moving those girls up to senior footy this season but it just wouldn’t be fair.

“Some of those girls are not quite ready for senior footy with the size just yet.

“But that is not to say they won’t be in the future.”

Clark said they will focus on getting a full time head coach.

“Over the last few years we have had a playing coach,” Clark said.

“I think what we will do as a club now is focus on getting just a head coach. Whether that be male or female, we are not sure just yet how it will look.”

The club has started their search for a head coach for 2026.

It comes just one week after Evandale women’s team went into recess with Meander Valley racing the clock to avoid similar fate.