A team full of women who have been training since November for the Wagga City Wanderers will not compete in Canberra’s Capital Football State League, as planned.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Wanderers were unable to meet the demands of Capital Football, and pulled the pin on the women’s campaign.
Wanderers have not entered the competition; entries closed on Friday.
Capital Football was open to letting Wagga’s representative club into the competition, stipulating that most rounds were to be played in Canberra or Yass.
The weekly travel was unfeasible for the Wanderers.
“Having to play the majority, or possibly all, of the games in Canberra or Yass was not really an option,” Wanderers Director Brendan Flanagan said.
“The burden of travel, plus the unbudgeted costs associated forced our decision.”
The Wanderers had planned to fund a home and away season, and were not prepared to cover all travel costs.
Considering the club fully funds the men’s program, and female players were told all costs would be covered before training started, the women were not prepared to foot the travel bill.
The team, filled mainly with Henwood Park, Wagga United and Albury players, and one South Wagga player, will likely disperse into local soccer competitions.
Flanagan said Football Wagga remains committed to women's development, and will run an alternative program involving training and tournaments including State Cup in May.
They will be granted dual registration with local clubs and Football Wagga will waive registration costs.
Tolland coach and 2014 Leonard Cup Goalkeeper of the Year Annette Parkinson was saddened by the news.
“It’s very disappointing, especially for the development of younger players, and the girls on the squad, they will have worked so hard,” she said.
As of Thursday, Football Wagga clubs had not been formally notified about the status of the failed venture.
Pressure has been mounting on clubs, who have until Monday to decide on the competitions that they will enter, but haven’t been able to confirm the number of women available to play.
The Daily Advertiser called Wanderers’ women’s coach Rod Buik, who was unavailable prior to deadline.
