the status of women's soccer on the Island...or lack thereof.

After starting in 1990/91 with seven teams competing, last season witnessed just four taking part and this season one more -- Somerset Terminators -- appear to have folded, leaving Dandy Stars, Rude Girls International and BAA (formerly Telecom) in the league and the BFA with a huge headache.

Administrative assistant David Sabir yesterday said that he had received a barrage of calls regarding the sport and meetings were planned involving the leagues committee and other relevant parties to form a quorum to sort out matters.

"We honestly don't know how to promote the sport, as far as the women are concerned,'' admitted Sabir. "There are a lot of factors involved and the committee has to meet and hash things out.

"It's definitely a priority and there will be play this year.

"We are concerned about the league and don't want to send the message that we have forgotten or placed the women on the backburner.

"A blueprint has to be firmly in place to ensure continual growth and development and the commitment of all the women has to be there.'' Furthering of education overseas, other interests and motherhood have been put forward as reasons for the demise, although there is no statistical proof to back this up.

There have also been insinuations that the lack of financial support similar to that of the men has caused members to become disenchanted and hence drift away.

League founder Alicia Zuill was particularly perturbed about women being treated as "second rate'' and vowed to ensure the sport's existence.

"A lot of homework has to be done and I don't want something that I started from my heart for the benefit of the girls to just go out the door,'' said Zuill. "The whole women's league needs to be investigated. As soon as we became affiliated with the BFA it seems like things have gone downhill.

"So much emphasis is being put on the males and not females as far as financing, because they (men) bring in more money.

"We would like to see more teams involved and get it (women's soccer) pushed and promoted more. We need to encourage the girls and not discourage them.'' Adding soccer to the list of activities for women in primary and secondary schools was one idea stressed.

Zuill noted how four women are currently pursuing educational opportunities abroad by means of soccer scholarships and there is room for many more to benefit.

"We should start getting into the schools because there are incentives out there. I know little girls that want to represent Bermuda in soccer, but have nowhere to go.

"Bermuda is way behind the eight-ball as far as instigating it into the schools.

"They're having women playing in their own World Cup...we need to get our act together.'' In response to the male dominance issue, Sabir pointed out that "historically men have always benefitted in sport'', and that the encroachment of women into the arena posed a definite challenge to the way things are run.