Petinos flying high at Koalas
It’s been an interesting transition but PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 1 football star Helen Petinos has settled in rather well at her new surroundings at ELS Hall Park with the North West Sydney Koalas.
Petinos made the switch to the yellow kit after spending the last several seasons with the Marconi Stallions.
The season got off to the best possible start for the versatile player and her new teammates as they reached the final of the PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 1 Preseason Cup.
There, they were defeated quite comfortably but nevertheless it was something that brought the side together.
“The Preseason Cup was such an amazing experience for the team as it brought us closer together.
“For me, coming into a new team where they were already settled can be hard but the club was really welcoming to me.”
Signs were great following the Cup but things turned in the opposite direction once the season started.
Currently sitting in ninth place, the Koalas still only have a mathematical chance of finals football.
“We’ve had a lot of girls come and go due to holiday commitments so these disruptions could have led to the unsettlement of the team.
“We’ve worked really hard though throughout the season and we will continue to do that till the end.
“Even though we haven’t had a good run, I’m surrounded by quality players all over the park.”
Petinos still has belief that her side can sneak into the finals with five rounds remaining.
“Anything is possible, we really need to work hard the next few weeks to win some games and according to how the other teams go anything can happen.”
The 22-year-old enjoyed her first season in the Westfield W-League last year with the Western Sydney Wanderers and is using her time with the Koalas to prepare for the new season.
“I’m working toward building on my performances each and every week to be ready for the Westfield W-League season.
“I’ve been working really hard on what I can do for not only my team but also my individual performances.”
“My future goals are to continue playing in the Westfield W-League as well as training hard and playing well in every game I get the opportunity to play in.
“Representing my country as a Matilda is the next step in achieving my goals in my career.”
In Canada recently, the Matildas success at the FIFA Women’s World Cup didn’t go unnoticed and Petinos was keen to praise her fellow and former teammates.
“The Matildas had such an amazing run in the World Cup.
“I was so happy to see past fellow teammates in the team, playing and representing our country so well.
“They did so well and should be happy with their efforts as I’m sure everyone was watching.”
Who knows, maybe Petinos will be pulling on the green and gold at the next World Cup and doing our country proud, watch this space.
-By Nikola Pozder
