Women's National League, and the Joanna's
The Women's National League has been given the green light for this season. It will definitely go ahead. Still some details to be sorted out, but unlike A-League Clubs member federations can get involved.
Which adds opportunities for traditional strongholds of women's football who don't have an A-League team (yet), like Canberra, to get involved.
My prediction:
A seven team league. Six clubs linked to A-League Clubs, and a Canberra team, with the financially strapped Mariners to miss out.
And rumours abound that the FFA are looking for names for the Women's Under 17 and Women's Under 14 teams
The Joanna's and Young Joanna's have been mentioned. Surely not...got a better idea, let me know, I'll pass it on to those that may be considering the Joanna's.
13 comments:
Oh please no! Matildas is bad enough. What patronising rubbish. Could you imagine the mens teams being called the billies and the little billies.
Look at the US: National team is called the Women's National Team. The under age called the US u/23, US u/20 etc: Why can't we just be 'normal'?
I don't think there will be enough players for a Canberra team. The canberra girls will go North or perhaps to Victoria.
now I'm no women's football expert, but with three Canberrans in the Matildas, two more in the Promising Matildas a couple of former Young Matildas around town, throw in another 2 or 3 who haven't made or didn't make that level, bring in a few from Dubbo and a couple or five from Sydney or elsewhere.
One or more guests from overseas...we have a team.
What do you think?
I reckon we could be overwhlemed. Qld has something like 13 matildas availble for its squad and Sydney demographic is so much larger with a lot more to draw from. They would need to be very careful that this just does not become a Qld/Sydney fest with a lot of ordinary sides making up the rest. That would be no good for the game and play right into the hands of the critics.
I know the two girls from Dubbo were over the moon last night when they read this article. They would love the opportunity to mix it with the best. This may also take the pressure off state run programs who cannot cope with the number of good players coming through and this is seeing many overlooked. Hey maybe the other sides may not be as strong to start off but how are we ever going to be able to develop rising talent in this country if opportunties like this aren't given a chance. Maybe we may even be able to stop the drain on good players to the USA chasing money for playing the game they love. I know there are several great players who could come into the game from the USA.
I must also agree that the names for the sides is over the top
Surely the underage women's team should be called the Bindis?
Did any of the Dubbo girls make the NSW CHS side?
I am very concerned that a National League is seen as a place for 'development' or the opportinty to 'mix it'. This league should be made up of the senior players. The youth have a development program (NTC). It would be disappointing if this comp targeted 16 year olds when there are plenty of 20 + players (including former Young Matildas) who are currently 'homeless'.
Yes you would want the League to be the best, not an age development program.
Like Basketball and Netball where the best women are chosen, I'm sure this will be the way the league will be run.
It has to be to have credibility doesn't it?
There are more than just 16 year olds out there that can compete at an elite level and not just those that have come from the metro areas. Unfortunatly because they do come from country areas they don't get the best coaching are often overlooked and / or are treated poorly by the administration that they leave the game. From someone who actually watches womens soccer there would be more than enough old timers out there to play the game at a high level and mixed with youth so that they to can learn. Hey wouldn't it be a shame if 16 year olds couldn't play where would the Matildas be today.
I also understand that the 16 year olds are in the NSW Country U17 team.
The Matildas should not be relying on 16 year olds. Although I have to agree that the currnet 16 yo Matildas are very, very good. there still should be a serious question mark over how it could be possible that a National Senior Team needs to call upon 3 16year olds to compete in an major international championship.
Does this mean that there are no players good enough in the whole of Australia (including those overseas ) between the ages of say 17 and 24? And I do not agree that 'throwing young ones in' is an appropriate development method.
Have a look at the US squad or most other major womens soccer teams. Having even a 21 year old is unusual. Good luck to the young ones but there are flaws in our sytem when a whole generation gets overlooked.
I don't buy this i'm from the bush therefore I am overlooked syndrome. If you are good enough you will make it.
The Country NSW squad a few years ago was dominant, none of them were in programs, just old fashioned play with the boys.
Have a look at the current Matildas. Tristram: Coffs Harbour, Shipard: Wagga, Chapman: Albury, Carroll: Tully, Williams: the back of WA somewhere.to name a few.
There are plenty of country girls in the NSWIS program. OK they had to relocate but they were given the opportunity and took it.
There are also plenty of others that haven't even been looked at, or at the very least are being seen very late. This comes down to poor admin and selection processess. I would also say the same for city girls as well, that have been missed. This isn't just a country thing!
I hope that the whole competion is strong and to deny young players because of their age would be wrong and all should be in on their merit, at what ever level.
I'm sure that many young country players will continue to make it to the highest levels in football in Australia and in the USA. It will be good to have them stay in Australia.
Trust me there are no syndromes going on, just healthy competition and plenty of politics by some.
Anyone know the latest re Women's A league preparations?
I believe a couple of high profile WPL players in Sydney have already been approached, and I assume it's for the Sydney team.
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