Strikers seek players for Women's team

An administrative decision by Football Wagga has thrust the side into first grade from reserve grade last year resulting in a number of players, either young teenagers or older women, withdrawing from the side. 

The team also lost a number of quality players from last year to tertiary education in other towns and family commitments this year. 

As of Monday, coach Mick Simons had just 11 players with a squad of 17 needed. 

Their first game is this weekend and at this stage Cootamundra will have no choice but to forfeit. 

Off the back of plenty of hard work at training last season and years of building a squad, the girls gave the Madden Trophy a good shake last year. 

They won 14 of 17 games in the regular season and made it to the grand final going down to Junee. 

Simons, who was at the helm last year also co-coaching with Luke Dickinson, said he understands the goal of Football Wagga to build the women’s league by forcing teams into first grade, however it has cost Cootamundra players and ultimately, possibly, the chance to field a side. 

He has been in talks with a number of women from surrounding towns including Harden, Temora and Gundagai regarding the possibility of playing and is calling on any female player interested to get in contact with him ASAP.

Kat Gould joined the side last year after a number of years away from the game and is keen to take the field again this season. 

She is a product of the Cootamundra Junior Soccer Club and said the Strikers are a great “bunch of people”.

“We have a lot of fun,” Kat said. 

She encourages others who may be thinking about playing soccer this year, perhaps after a few years off, to give it a go. 

“I was scared the first time I came to train with the Strikers but everyone made me feel so welcome; there is a great family feel to the club,” she said. 

Simons pledged to ensure a fun-filled season. 

“If we can get a team, we will work together to make sure we have a good season,” Simons said. 

He stipulated however, he will put the welfare of players first and foremost and playing first grade does not lend itself to players ‘making up the numbers’ but rather skilled, committed players with the time to train regularly.