NSWIS Women?s historic moment
Having been starved of regular competition matches for the last three years, NSWIS were drawn to play A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers in Round 1 of the NSW Premier Youth League 14?s and 15?s competitions.
The NSWIS Women?s Program, which is run by a Joint Management Committee including FFA, Football NSW, Northern NSW and NSWIS itself, is a program designed to cater for all Nationally identified and selected players ranging from the Matildas and Young Matildas to the U/17?s National Team.
In the current squad of 30 already at least 20 players have already represented the Green and Gold with hopefully more to come.
The NSWIS Women were admitted into the boys competitions to give our National Team players the best and toughest possible preparations they can have so that Australia can maintain its competitiveness in the extremely tough Asian Confederation.
In the first game of the night the NSWIS youngsters came up against a tough and determined U/14?s A.P.I.A. outfit however despite chances at both ends the score remained 0-0, with the girls demonstrating the fact that they were equal to the occasion.
In the second match of the night involving the A.P.I.A. U/15?s, the boys ran out 2-0 winners but once again the girls performed admirably and showed that they will be a good test for most of the teams in the competition.
After the match coach Alen Stajcic was impressed with his sides first showing and thankful to Football NSW for showing the initiative to include the girls in their boys competitions.
?This is exactly what our Elite Women need if we are to improve and compete with the rest of the world, regular competitive games which take our players out of their comfort zones, making them adapt to an increased speed and technical environment.
?I would like to thank the Board of Football NSW for approving these matches and contributing to the development of the Elite players that we have in NSW.?
Their next match will be an even tougher test coming up against perennial finalists Bankstown City Lions at Valentine Park next Wednesday night starting at 6.30pm and 7.45pm
