BBC News Online: UK: Wales

Girl footballer wins battle

Supporters of Caroline Hulme lobbied the FAW in September last year to change its rules so that she could turn out for Denbigh Town Under 13s.

Last year, BBC Wales revealed how Caroline had played five games in the Rhyl and District League before officials stepped in and said she was breaching FAW rules.

They said girls aged 12 and over could not play in mixed gender sports.

Her teammates collected a 1,042 name petition in a bid to persuade football chiefs to reverse the decision.

The FAW's rules have now been changed so that in areas where there are no junior leagues available for girls, the age limit will increase to Under 16.

Caroline was faced at the time with a trip of 30-40 miles to play her football for a girls team.

Chris Ruane, MP for the Vale of Clwyd, intervened and contacted Sports Minister Kate Hoey, the National Assembly and the FAW on the issue.