The Albion Park Women’s Division One team picked up what they hope is the first of many trophies this year with a decisive 3-1 victory over Brookvale in the State Cup Grand Final last Sunday (July 13).

The win is the first of four potential titles for the team as they look set to put together their finest season to date in what has been a long, yet impressive rebuild for the club.

“For so many years it used to be Tarrawanna leading the way and we just kind of decided that that was where we wanted to be,” says team manager, Joanne Davis.

“That’s just the benchmark that the girls have been aiming for, they’ve always wanted to be not just the best, but the best team they can be.”

Last season was Albion Park's most successful to date, reaching three Grand Finals and securing one trophy, a 3-0 victory over Colo SFC in the 2013 Champions of Champions Grand Final.

Despite the win, it was the losses that stuck in the memory and the left the team determined to not lose again.

“We got beat in a couple of grand finals last year and we don’t want to lose them again,” says Davis.

“Tarrawanna beat us in the State Cup and the Division One Grand Finals last season but this season the girls are a little bit stronger, more committed and determined to win trophies.”

Albion Park Womens were able to exact some Cup revenge on Tarrawanna earlier in the season when they trounced the defending champions 6-2 in their State Cup semi-final.

The impressive win may have signalled a changing of the guard in the Illawarra as Albion Park sit seven points clear at the top of Division One with just four games remaining.

The southern suburbs club boast the competitions two top scorers in Shakiah Tungai and Brittany Ring but a stout defence has been the backbone of the team’s dominant form.

As well as their fine league form, Albion Park will also feature in the Illawarra’s Association Cup semi-finals later this year and yet despite the run of results the team is remaining focussed on the goal.

“We can’t get too cocky, we’ve never been ahead this early in the season,” says Davis.

“Anything can happen though and with five rounds to go we’re not getting ahead of ourselves.

“The girls try to stay as grounded as possible, the State Cup was just the first of a few trophies we were aiming for this season so it’s back to training hard during the week.”

Continuity has been the key with the side only losing three players from last season’s efforts which made way for three local replacements that have arguably strengthened the squad.

The team boasts a good mix of youthful exuberance and grounded experience that makes for a harmonious squad with high morale.

“It’s a bit of everything this year; they’ve really come together and are working towards something special,” says Davis.

“There’s a really good mix of younger girls with some more experienced ladies in the team and I think that really helps provide a good balance.

“We’re really proud of them, they’re all getting along and everyone is happy and that makes a big difference.

Having already equalled their trophy tally from last season, Albion Park are well on their way to showing they’re not only the best team in the Illawarra but one of the best teams in the entire state.

 

Julian Keith

FSC Reporter