A new force in women's football: Peyia-Akamas Ladies FC makes its official debut.
The new professional club enters the Women's First Division of Cyprus, with James Thomas as the technical leadership and headquarters at the Municipal Stadium of Pegeia of the Municipality of Akamas.
A new chapter is opening for women's football in the Paphos district, with the official launch of Peyia-Akamas Ladies FC, a new professional women's football club that will compete in the Cyprus Women's First Division Championship.
With Pegeia and Akamas in its own identity, the new team was created with the aim of evolving into a modern, competitive and sustainable sports organization, while offering substantial development opportunities to the players of Pegeia, the Municipality of Akamas and the entire province of Paphos.
The home of Peyia-Akamas Ladies FC will be the Peyia Municipal Stadium of Akamas Municipality, strengthening the team's connection with the place it represents and creating a new core for the development of women's football in the region.
The first historic season kicks off on October 3, 2026, with Peyia-Akamas Ladies FC hosting APOEL Ladies FC at the Peyia Municipal Stadium, in the first official match in their history.
A football structure with continuity
At the head of the new venture is Haris Arkadiou, President & Football Director of Peyia-Akamas Ladies FC, with many years of experience in the management of football organizations, the development of academies, the creation of player pathways and match planning.
He holds a BA in Business and Insurance from London Metropolitan University. His previous career includes the reorganization of Peyia 2014 FC, winning the championship and promotion from the Third to the Second Division, as well as creating an academy from scratch with more than 170 registered young players.
Today he is responsible for the football development of about 250 children, through an organized framework of coaching development, player development and long-term planning.
The same philosophy is at the core of Peyia-Akamas Ladies FC: the creation of a club with structure and duration, where competitive success is linked to the development of female athletes and the creation of real prospects for the new generation.
James Thomas in Technical Leadership
The technical leadership of the new team is taken over by James Thomas, with more than 20 years of experience in professional football, in national teams and in the development of high-level footballers.
He holds a UEFA A Licence, UEFA Elite Youth Licence and FA Talent ID Level 3, while in the course of his career he was the Federal Coach of the Trinidad and Tobago Women's National Team and an assistant coach in the Welsh women's national teams.
At the club level, he has served in important positions in Bristol City Women and Newcastle United Women, while he has also been active in coaching training through programs such as Elite Soccer Coaching and the English FA Women's Coach Development Programme.
His selection reflects the intention of Peyia-Akamas Ladies FC to operate from day one with high professional standards and with a special emphasis on the competitive and individual development of the players.
James Thomas stated:
"I am particularly excited to join Peyia-Akamas Ladies FC. This is a club with real ambitions and I look forward to creating an environment in which every player and every member of the organisation can feel truly proud of what we will achieve together."
Building the Future of Women's Football
The competitive roster of Peyia-Akamas Ladies FC has already been completed and the official presentation of the players will take place in the near future.
The club's ambitions, however, go beyond the first season. The long-term goal is to create a recognized center for the development of women's football, giving the athletes of the region the opportunity to develop, compete at a high level and represent their country.
The presence of a First Division team based at the Municipal Stadium of Pegeia also creates a new point of reference for the girls and young athletes of the Municipality of Akamas and the wider province of Paphos, but also a new opportunity to connect women's football with the local community.
On October 3, 2026, against APOEL Ladies FC, the first official page of this new campaign is written.
With experienced technical leadership, an ambitious playing squad, and a clear long-term plan, Peyia-Akamas Ladies FC is poised to represent Peyia, Akamas Municipality, and Paphos in the top tier of Cypriot women's football.
Peyia-Akamas Ladies FC expresses its warm thanks to the Municipality of Akamas for its practical support in this new venture, through the non-profit concession of its sports facilities for the team's training sessions and official matches. This valuable contribution is an essential helper to the club's effort and highlights the importance of cooperation between local government and sports bodies for the development of women's football and the creation of new opportunities for the athletes of the region.
The ambition is clear.
The journey begins now.
PEYIA-AKAMAS LADIES FC
We proudly represent Pegeia.
We proudly represent the Municipality of Akamas.
We proudly represent Paphos.
The future of women's football begins today.
