The FA Women’s Super League returns at the weekend with the beginning of the inaugural Spring Series.
With the FA WSL moving to a more traditional football calendar later this year, the Spring Series will run from February until May to bridge the gap between seasons.
FA WSL 2 clubs are in action first, while clubs in the top division will kick-off their Spring Series fixtures in April.
Each team will play each other once as they compete for their division’s Spring Series trophy.
London Bees kick-off the campaign against League newcomers Brighton on Saturday afternoon and midfielder Merrick Will can’t wait to get started.
She said: “The Spring Series can be a massive foundation for us for the WSL season.
“We’re really excited about all the competitions, and we see promotion as a definite possibility so we’re all desperate to get going and see if we can make that a reality.
“Everyone knows that it’s achievable, it’s not an unreachable goal, and we’re all excited just to start playing again and being able to put tactics to work and seeing what we can do.”
Brighton gained promotion by winning The FA Women’s Premier League play-off final last May and striker Kate Natkiel is looking forward to the Seagulls’ first taste of FA WSL action.
“I'm so happy that they're doing a Spring Series which gives us a chance to get together again and play competitive matches," she said.
“We've never been in the WSL before, so it gives us a real insight into what to expect against the other teams.
“It will allow us to get settled without any of the pressure of relegation or promotion. It just allows us to play.”
There are four fixtures on Sunday with Durham taking on Millwall Lionesses, Watford travelling to Aston Villa, Oxford United hosting Everton and Sheffield facing Doncaster Rovers Belles.
Donny Belles defender Maz Pachecho added: “Everyone wants to see how the Spring Series will work.
“It will be a nice teaser for September to see what works for us as a team, so it’s a good starting block.
“I’m certainly looking forward to it as well. I love playing football and we all want to go out there and win games, so it’s going to be more than just a friendly competition.”
