NORTH Geelong Senior Women’s team will be looking to make major waves in their debut in the Geelong Community Cup, as they join three other female teams in the inaugural Women’s division of the annual pre-season tournament at Stead Park this weekend.
Along with ex-NPLW outfit Galaxy United, reigning Geelong Region Women’s Division 1 side Geelong Rangers and hosts Geelong SC, the Warriors will be making history in the long running event that has been around since 1981.
According to first year Senior Women’s team coach Ivan Herceg, his girls will kick off 2020 with their first official hit out at the Cup this weekend.
“As 2019 runners up in the Geelong Region Division 1 league, we narrowly missed out on the premiership title by one point on the last day of the regular season. We have got a point to prove this year,” he stated on the eve of the Community Cup.
“Our preparations have been positive, with an early start to preseason in January this year. With the coming together of seasoned players and the scattering of new fresh mature and young players the season is looking very promising.
“We have a great combination of youth and experienced players to make a real impact this year and hopefully go one better in the regular season,” added Herceg.
As a club, continued Herceg, North has developed a successful women’s program that continues to grow each year by creating an environment where young girls can develop and enjoy playing the sport.
“Our ongoing success in the local competition has resulted in being awarded entry into the Football Victoria Metro competition for our Under 16 girls, some of which will be on show at this weekend,” he said.
The Geelong Community Cup, still referred to affectionately as the ‘Addy Cup’ after the event’s long running sponsor in its early years, has struggled to attract sponsors, spectators and interested team in recent years with the season commencing earlier and earlier each year due to the nationwide, knockout FFA Cup.
This year’s newly revamped weekend only event at Stead Park will adopt a lightning premiership format with group games to be held on the Saturday and the Finals on Sunday.
Herceg said it was pleasing that the tournament now reflects both Men’s and Women’s competition, further reinforcing the health of women’s football in the region.
“Geelong is a very strong in female participation and the quality of the teams playing in the Community Cup will showcase just how far we have come. North Geelong historically has a strong pedigree in women’s football, and its only recently that we have been able to launch a competitive team at the senior level.
“The club leadership and the fans are very supportive of the group and having the Women’s team play creates a whole new level of excitement and passion for The North Fans!” concluded an excited Herceg ahead of what promises to be a massive year for the club.
