THE head coach of Bayside's senior women's side has said that they are "buzzing" for next season after their league-winning campaign.

Ross Wortley, who watched proudly as his players received the SWF (Scottish Women's Football) North/East Championship trophy following their final game against East Fife Development, insists that his thoughts have already turned to next term and on how his talented team can improve further.

Having been together for just a year, the squad won 12 of their 15 league matches to be crowned champions ahead of their final game, while also reaching the inaugural Scottish Women's Football League (SWFL) Cup final against Bishopton FC Ladies.

It's been confirmed that Bayside will defend their title in the SWF North/East league when the new season is scheduled to kick-off on March 27, after the campaign begins in February in the SWFL Cup.

Teams have been placed into regional groups of four or five – Bayside are in a group of five with Blackburn United, Livingston Development, Falkirk Development and Dunipace – from which the top two will progress to a regional round of 16, with a national draw taking place from the quarter-finals.

Wortley, who said that Bayside had the right to apply to be promoted as champions, said: "I do think we need another season in the same league.

"In our first season together, what we have achieved is remarkable, but a lot of teams will improve next season. The competition will be difficult. Planning is already under way; we can't sit and rest on our laurels. Next season, we'll try to get the players to the next level, and push them harder.

"Football should be an attractive game. We're in it to win it but we want to make it even more attractive and to try and impose my style even more.

"We're all buzzing for next season already. We've got just about everyone signed, although there has been interest from other teams, which is good because we must be doing something right.

"It was a pity we never won the last game but we never lost it. Looking back, we should've won it but we didn't put our chances away. I just had to try to get their minds off lifting the trophy at the end and focus on the match!

"It was a good way to end it and I think they were a bit overwhelmed when they got the trophy. To see them lift it was a great feeling.

"We'll have a few weeks off but I'm already thinking about next season."

The teams Bayside will face in the league include Buchan Ladies United, Dryburgh Athletic, East Fife Development, Forfar Farmington, Raith Rovers Women and Westdyke Ladies Thistle, whiletheir SWFL Cup schedule begins against Blackburn United on February 20.