The Los Independientes Football Club (LIFC) women’s team has won the Santana Minerals Central Lakes Women’s Football League’s debut season.

It is the first time a Wānaka-based women’s team has competed in a league and coach Sam Falconer said he is “beyond proud”.

“They’ve done very well - they won,” Sam said.

“Everyone was just so stoked by the end, just so happy that it happened and just really grateful to be a part of it.”

Sam said the women won all but one of their matches, finishing at the top of the table to claim the league title.

Los Independientes FC players celebrate their league win.

The women’s league comprised teams from Alexandra, Queenstown, Cromwell and Wānaka with all teams playing at the same venue each week to build camaraderie and foster the development of the women’s game in the region.

LIFC president Richard Elvy said the club was established three years ago and he was extremely proud to have fielded a women's side this year.

“Not in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be standing and congratulating the women's Los Independientes team on winning the league,” he said. “I’m so immensely proud of them.”

Richard said the club is focused on fostering the development of women’s football in the Upper Clutha and will run social women’s-only football sessions during winter, along with women’s and mixed social football.

The Santana Minerals Central Lakes Football League comprised teams from Wānaka, Cromwell, Alexandra, and Queenstown.

“We’re looking to go onwards and upwards from here,” he said. 

Anyone interested in playing women’s football can contact [email protected].

PHOTOS: Supplied