Nottingham Forest Ladies manager Dawkins is a former club captain
Nottingham Forest Ladies manager Lisa Dawkins says her strengthened team is ready for the challenge of playing in the top flight.
The club finished champions of the Northern Division and were promoted to the National Premier League in April.
Dawkins said: "We want to try and enjoy the experience but we are under no illusion about the task ahead.
"Our aim has to be to just stabilise the club now and maintain our National Division status."
New signings in goalkeeper Claire Wallhead, midfielder Sam Griffiths and defender Carla Tompkins have boosted the young squad, who face their first game of the season at home to Birmingham on Sunday.
People compare it to the man's game and say it's a bit slow, but women's football is women's football. I want them to watch the commitment and passion
Manager Lisa Dawkins
The 39-year-old manager and former team captain added: "The huge achievement for Forest Ladies is the fact that we've retained all our players from last season."
Dawkins is proud of the club's achievement at grassroots level with its centre of excellence at the Southglade Leisure Centre training a variety of age groups, from under-10s up, with the aim of preparing them for the senior side.
"Bigger clubs have come in to try to tempt the players away but the loyalty is huge - the players have a real passion for the club and want to represent Nottingham Forest Ladies in the top division," said Dawkins.
Her side would be delighted just to stay in the Premier League next season, she conceded, and would welcome mid-table safety.
"We're looking forward to having a good FA Cup run and playing the likes of Everton and Arsenal to see how much we've improved."
Promotion has forced the team to find a new home to meet FA requirements for the National Premier League, so home games have now moved from Dunkirk to Carlton Town.
The club is proud of its training facilities for young players
"I'm hoping it will bring the gate up for home matches," said Dawkins.
"We usually get family and friends and a few extras but it's never really more than 150, so I want the people of Nottingham to come down, have a look at us and see where women's football is now.
"People compare it to the man's game and perhaps say it's a bit slow, but women's football is women's football. I want them to watch the level of commitment and passion from the players."
And Dawkins says she is hoping Forest's new top-tier status will boost the popularity of women's football in the city.
"Nottingham City Council have been fantastic. We had a huge banner across the Council House when we got promoted and Nottingham Forest have been trying to help us out as much as they can.
"If there was something I wish had gone a bit better it's finding people who are prepared to financially back Nottingham Forest Ladies.
"But we're hoping that will come together this season to lift Forest Ladies and hopefully encourage more young females into the sport."
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