Northbridge FC girls flying high
Northern Suburbs Football Association’s Northbridge FC are eagerly anticipating this Sunday’s Football NSW State Cup Finals as two of their Girls teams, the Grade 12s and 14s participate in what will be a huge day for the club at Valentine Sports Park.
The 12 Girls will compete for the Cheryl Salisbury Cup as they take on Football South Coast’s Shellharbour JFC at 10:15am while the 14 Girls face the might of AC United from the Southern Districts Football Association at 11:30am.
A club that has continually pushed all boundaries in further developing female footballers, Northbridge FC had a special vision eight years ago when they commenced their special girls program that has since seen them sit comfortably in the PlayStation4 NPL NSW Women’s top tier competition as well as achieving positive results in the Northern Suburbs Football Association Community League.
Northbridge FC General Manager Kym Griffen stated to Football NSW how proud he was on seeing the Grade 12 and 14 girls progress to the finals this Sunday.
“The club is very proud with what these teams have achieved.
“The club commitment to an ongoing program, that means that every age group, every year have quality coaches that the curriculum has assisted with this success.
“There are no gaps, every age group gets proper support from the club which is not reliant on a particular parent group which is club policy.
“The club Girls have a program that reflects the Club’s PlayStation4 NPL NSW Women’s, what works at State level works just as well at Club level which I believe both the 12 and 14 players have benefited from.”
Asked if there were any secrets to the club’s success regarding their female development program, Griffen replied.
“The support of the local Association has been a major key.
“The Northern Suburbs Football Association have supported progressive thinking when it comes to football for girls.
“The NSFA Diamond League for girls 11,12 and 14 is a very strong local Competition.
“This means that every week the girls get good games against teams that follow a similar training program.
“The Northern Suburbs Football Association have also adopted a 9 a side, small field football competition for all Grade 12 girls this season, another best practice initiative for better football development.
“Parent support has also been another contributing factor to the club’s success.
“Once parents see their 10 and 11 year-old girls playing with skills, controlling the ball and distributing it nicely, they become our strongest supporters.
“It is important that parents are on board, as it is a big commitment to a long season of games, travel and training.
“When it comes to who did what, or who is responsible, it is really about the sum total of the group, Club, Coaches, the Association and families.”
With both games scheduled as being blockbusters, Griffen paid special tribute to both coaches and the club’s Technical Director as well as wishing the team’s success.
“We would like to thank this season’s coaches, Angelo Maralit with the 12s and Ciaran McCabe with the 14s – both are very skilled and dedicated coaches.
“But it’s a team effort, all coaches work together and all are under the direction of the Club’s Technical Director, Wayne Sully O’Sullivan.
“I suspect it’s this team effort and the ongoing commitment to the girl’s program that attracts girls to the club.
“Even current Westfield Matildas Lisa De Vanna and Chloe Logarzo came, coached and played for the club this season.
“As for Sunday, we’d hope the girls relax and play their natural game, it’s not win at all costs, it’s about playing football, putting their skills and team work to the test.”
