2011 Women?s Super League Season Preview

The field has been narrowed with the departure of Blacktown and Central Coast to the Premier League, so it?s anybody?s game this year.  Here?s a look at the ten clubs that will make up the Women?s Super League in 2011.
Last season?s Grand Finalists APIA Leichardt Tigers return stronger than ever in 2011, or so says coach Tarek Madani, buoyed by the signing of four new players and the bulk of last year?s squad.  A less than ideal preseason may lead to a slow start, but APIA remain one of the teams to beat with a squad boasting, among others, the 2010 Women?s Super League player of the year Natalie Spirovski.  After falling at the final hurdle last season, APIA will be hungry to go one better in 2011 and should be expected to be around come finals time. A genuine title contender.
Last year?s semi-finalists Gladesville Ravens will head into 2011 amongst the serious challengers for the Super League title, with the majority of the squad having been retained.  The loss of influential midfielder Ashley Hume will be hard to stomach, but under the guidance of returning coach Paul Wade they should be making an impact come finals time.
Nepean FC return to the Super League after a brief interval and will be looking to make an impact straight away. The league has a decidedly different look to it this year.  Along with the other new teams coming in, Nepean will shake things up in the first few rounds as most are unsure what to expect from them.  Their true test will be whether they can put it together for 18 rounds and put themselves in the mix come finals time.
Another of the new clubs, Northbridge FC, slot into the Super League a year ahead of schedule.  The brand new squad will be coached by ex-Manly mentor Godfrey Lewis, who in future will be able to draw from over 2000 players in Northbridge?s youth ranks.  An interesting mix of players with a predominantly youthful focus will be aiming to ruffle a few feathers and will be looking to finals football as a barometer for success in their debut season.
A mid-table finish last year with a relatively inexperienced squad points to a good 2011 for the Northern Tigers.  The retention of the majority of their improving youngsters over the past few years and a strong developmental focus under the direction of head coach Eric Daly is expected to deliver excellent results in the long term. The Tigers also will have an international flavour this year, with two foreign players in the squad. Short term however, first grade coach Darryl Dark will still have to manage a team loaded with potential but perhaps lacking in experience.  Finals football is not out of reach for the Tigers in 2011.
Some off-season restructuring has seen Lady Hawks clear out the playing ranks, with only five players remaining from the team that so narrowly missed out on finals football last time round.  The team will again be mentored by coach Edd Terry, who believes that despite the youthful nature of his squad there is no shortage of quality.  Some confidence-building results in the pre-season indicate a promising year ahead, but all will hinge on whether this team of inexperienced youngsters can build some consistency and grind out results.
Last year?s wooden spooners Springwood United return again and will be hoping to be more competitive this time round.  With a new season comes new possibilities, and while the side will aim for finals football this year, initially they?ll be looking to pick up points early on and try to spring a few upsets (no pun intended!).
St George FC will start 2011 with a nice blend of youth and experience, established and new. Four of last years U16?s have progressed to the seniors while the core of their 2010 squad have been retained.  The Red and Whites will hope to improve on a disappointing finish last season and will look to returning coach Ross Gardner, fresh from a two year hiatus, to turn those draws into wins.  Gardner is hoping that the youthful nature of his squad will increase the pressure for first grade spots.  However, with eleven new players and twelve of the squad under the age of 18, they may take time to gel, and a finals push will hinge on this. Some encouraging performances in the pre-season suggest this process is well underway.
Sydney Olympic enter the Women?s Super League for the first time and loom as a potential surprise packet.  Some strong signings and a string of tough pre-season matches will see them start the season in top shape.  Coach Enzo Calabria remains grounded, confident his side will be competitive while acknowledging the developmental emphasis of the inaugural season.  Olympic may be something of an enigma in the first few rounds as little is known about how their completely new squad will perform.  Should be one to watch.
Competitive last year but out of finals contention, Eastern UNSW Lions will be hoping to convert the cursed draws into wins.  The Lions have come off the back of the reserve grade title, and with a little improvement on their inaugural season are legitimate finals contenders in 2011.  Will be one to keep an eye on.
It?s shaping to be an exciting season in the Women?s Super League, so head on down to a game near you and find out what all the fuss is about!
-By Ryan Cropp