North Powys Ladies' League chairperson Tricia Turner said the FAW's decision to impose a new age limit on players is caused huge problems.

Turner said: "Clubs are struggling to come to terms with the new ruling and it could mean an end to ladies football in this county."

Clubs across Wales have been forced to adhere to a controversial new FAW ruling which bars under 16s from playing senior football.

Until this season girls from 14 upwards were permitted to play but under the new age restrictions clubs have reported a sharp decline in interest.

Turner now fears hundreds of young girls could be lost to the game with clubs across Powys already starting to feel the pinch.

"A lot of clubs are struggling already," said Turner. "This season Penybont and Llanrhaeadr have reported difficulties, while even first division clubs like Newtown and Welshpool are struggling."

The league has gone from strength to strength in recent years and last season marked the first with a two tier set-up.

However the hard work may be for nothing with the girls game now in crisis.

"This is simply not a ruling which can work in a rural area like Powys," said Turner.

"In South Wales there is a much larger population so therefore a larger pool of talent. In Powys there are clubs within a 10 mile radius of each other and there simply are not enough girls to go around so I fear for the future."

Turner revealed the league will be contacting the FAW and be pleading for a u-turn.

"The FAW must appreciate the biggest drop off in all sport participation is at 14. It's unlikely girls will develop interest in football after that age so it is vital that they hear our calls," said Turner.

"We have a very limited time to get girls involved in the game and we are currently looking at all kinds of ways to keep these youngsters in the sport and developing their skills.

"However it is not easy with the new restrictions and this latest rule change represents the greatest threat ever to the ladies game in this county."