Manly United enjoy fruitful Women’s season

Manly United FC have performed admirably across all grades in the PlayStation 4 NSW NPL Women’s competition.

With three of five teams qualifying for finals football, the future is bright for women’s football on the Northern Beaches.

But to have success you must have a system, something United pride themselves on.

With six players in the current first grade coming through the ranks and graduating their football knowledge at Manly United, it is obvious the club is keen on developing players.

Technical director Sharon Egger can be delighted with the progress the club has made over the years, along with the football the teams play.

Egger underlined the raw age of some of the clubs first graders, as well as how important it was for the club to continue to develop.

“This year’s First Grade squad is very young, as is our Reserve Grade which shows the depth we have at the club.

“We have a number of 17 year olds playing in the senior grades who are eligible to play U17s.

“They are talented enough to play senior football and that means we are able to give more youth players opportunities to develop.”

Manly begins their work with female footballers at grassroots level but in recent years has now pushed that into their SAP program.

The club recently conducted a TRY SAP evening, the second in consecutive years allowing players and parents to have an understanding in what the Skill Acquisition program is.

The night proved more successful than the previous year, pulling in 150 players from the ages of 8-11.

“We have always had a grassroots development program to underpin our youth development program.

“For the last 2 years we have conducted a part-time Girls SAP program which Football NSW modeled the GSAP program on when it introduced it as part of the competition.”

For Egger, this program for young girls will only improve the female game, something she hopes parents could see from the information night.

“It has become very clear to us since we introduced the girls SAP last year, how important it is for players in the Skill Acquisition Phase (9-13) to learn the necessary skills and techniques in a programmed environment such as SAP.”

“Parents were given an overview of SAP so they would understand why it is so important in providing our footballers with the necessary skills to play at any level.”

Egger knows that to not only have a fantastic program; there is also one more key to success.

“The most important ingredient in both the Youth League, Girls SAP and Senior grades is the coaching.

“Having the best coaches possible in all grades, makes it easier to ensure our philosophy and playing style are carried right through the club from SAP to First Grade.”

Currently, United’s graduates include Bella Walker, who is the current captain, Jessica Sekulich, Tess Olsen, Nicole Simonsen, Ally Green and one of the best players in this season’s competition, 17 year old Remy Siemsen.

Manly’s first grade squad take on the Macarthur Rams in this weeks Elimination Semi-Final.