Vikings president Rod Oppenhuis confirmed the Ballarat District Soccer Association had given the  club approval to make the transition after two dominant years at Ballarat level.

The Vikings’ push to gain state league selection came at the end of 2014 after securing a second-straight BDSA women’s division one flag.

With FFV’s women’s fixtures yet to be released, the club remains unsure of what level it will compete at.

Regardless of the league, Oppenhuis believes the side will hold its own in the predominantly Melbourne-based competition.

“There was talk of a grading match, but we don’t know where we are yet,” he said.

“It will probably be in state league four. We’ve dominated the BDSA and haven’t lost a game in two years.

“I’d be surprised if they’re not super competitive.”

A major sticking point in the meeting between  Vikings and BDSA officials was that the club continues to field a team in the BDSA.

BDSA president Herman Bogers said the move would have to be managed carefully to avoid a depletion of female talent at local level.

“We support their move, but the main thing is that they support our association,” Bogers said.

“That’s the understanding that we’ve got.

“You can’t blame players for wanting to play at a high level, but we don’t want to deplete our local level.”

Oppenhuis said the club had managed to retain all 17 players from last year’s division one list.

He is adamant there is a niche available for a second Ballarat side in women’s state league soccer behind the newly crowned Ballarat Eureka Strikers, which contest division one.

“We’re just filling the gap between that high state league level and local level,” Oppenhuis said.

“There’s the opportunity for girls who want to play at a state league level to come and play with us.

“My understanding is that we’ve pretty much retained that whole list and we also want to fulfil our commitments in the BDSA.”

michael.pollock@fairfaxmedia.com.au