THE season might be over for the men's side but the Pars have kicked off a new partnership with their ladies' team.

And the head coach of Dunfermline Athletic Girls' and Ladies' Football Club believes that, by working more closely with those at East End Park, it can increase interest and help them move up the Scottish Women's Football League divisions.

Ross Wortley, who stepped up from his role as assistant to take over from Garry Herkes, believes that the link-up can help his team become an attractive proposition for players, and help them encourage and develop stars of the future.

The arrangement, which will see the ladies wear the official Pars home kit for matches and benefit from promotion on the club's social media channels, is designed to create a close working relationship between the two and, where possible, act as one club.

Wortley, whose team are currently fifth in the SWFL Division One and play home matches at the Fleet Grounds in Rosyth, told Press Sport: "The women's game is growing and getting stronger each year so I think it's a great time for the women's team to be associated with the club.

"You see this sort of thing happening more and more across Scottish football, and things will take time, but I think we will grow stronger together.

"I hope it will encourage the kids; there will be a lot of Pars fans who, if they can see we've got a link-up, will be encouraged to take up the sport.

"There was talk last year that if, for example, East End Park was available on a Sunday and we had a big cup tie, we might be able to use it, while the programmes could have brief reports and promote our games.

"I hope it gets our name out there and people will come and watch. If we are able to use facilities like the gym and have that link, it helps attract players as well."

He added: "If we gain promotion this year, I hope we can start climbing higher. Having that link-up and base helps us be more professional.

"We will take each game as it comes but we are pushing them to be at the top end of the league. We have strong ambitions and hope to be in with a shout.

"We're trying to build the club up to a high standard on and off the park, and the link-up will take care of that off the field."

Michael Mlotkiewicz, Dunfermline Athletic general manager, said: "The ladies' team are an important part of the club's vision and values, and we feel it's right we both work together on and off the pitch.

"We plan to promote their matches and improve general communications with our supporters about the ladies' team and their continued progress.

"We will also continue to look at avenues where the football club can help the team."

Originally formed in 1999 as Hawkcraig United Ladies' FC, the team climbed the divisions quickly and, after becoming Dunfermline Athletic Ladies' Football Club in 2003, they won the SWFL Second Division East title in 2012.

They joined with the Dunfermline Girls' teams recently to form Dunfermline Athletic Girls' and Ladies' Football Club, meaning they have teams competing at every level from under-nines through to the senior side, and former players include Hibernian and Scotland midfielder Lucy Graham.

The club is also looking to add to their committee in roles including secretary, treasurer, chairperson and in fundraising, and anyone interested should email Laura Wight at laurawight@hotmail.com.

This Sunday, they play Pollok in the first round of the SSE Scottish Women's Cup at the Fleet Grounds.

Kick-off is at 2pm.