NEWS | Pete Jarvis: Boss on new playing style and aims for season ahead

PRE-SEASON preparations are well underway for Rotherham United Women, with just a week to go until the new league season.

Pete Jarvis’s side kick off at home to Grimsby Town Academy at Roundwood in Rawmarsh at 2pm next Sunday, September 3.

They go into the new campaign aiming for promotion following a summer of recruitment across all positions.

New additions include former Manchester City midfielder Lauren Brogan and strikers Milly Colford, Caitlin O’Callaghan and Jessie Broadhurst.

The club, who finished last season by winning the Her Game Too Shield on penalties in front of more than 1,100 fans at the AESSEAL New York Stadium, have also launched and recruited strongly for a new reserves squad.

It will be coached by former Wealdstone and UK Armed Forces coach Dave Vine, who aims to develop players to push for places in the first team.

After overcoming SJR Worksop 3-2 in their latest pre-season friendly last Sunday thanks to a late free kick from full back Sidni Simmons, the Millers look ahead to the Grimsby match next Sunday.

Jarvis urged all fans to come down and see the team in action, revealing the squad have been working on a more expansive possession-based playing style.

“We’re trying to evolve the way that we play to make ourselves a team that can dominate matches, dominate the ball and dominate the opponent as well,” he said.

“You’ll definitely see an evolution in the style of play and hopefully that will help develop into positive results.

“The aim for the first team for this season is to challenge to win the league and get promoted and take us up to the National League, which I think is a more than achievable objective.

“I’m really confident that we’re in a good position to do that.”

Captain Lori-Anne Tart said things were “looking promising” for a push for promotion.

“That’s our main target for both the first and reserve team,” she said.

“We know it’s going to be a tough ask, but I think we have recruited really well.

“It’s nice to have a lot of the ‘old faces’ to give a solid base that we can work from but many of the reserve team have come in (against Worksop) and although a lot of them are very young, they are absolutely quality.”

Jarvis urged fans to come along and see his team in action, adding: “It’s always a really good fun and friendly atmosphere down at Roundwood.

“We really hope to see as many people there as possible.”

Entry is £3 for adults and £2 for concessions (cash only) and supporters can pay on the gate.

Admission is free for children aged under 16 and students.