Newly appointed director of women’s football Gary Lyons admits the realisation of Wagga fielding a representative women’s team is “surreal” but knows there’s plenty of work to do before the ladies don the Wanderers strip next year.
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The club was last week informed that they had been accepted by Capital Football to enter teams into the Canberra-based Women’s NPL (WNPL) competition for next season.
Having seen previous attempts to field a side in both Canberra and Sydney-based competitions go south, Lyons was both relieved and elated to see their case finally resolved.
“Absolutely, it’s been really exciting,” Lyons said.
“Everyone’s been very supportive all along and it’s a bit surreal to see it finally happening.”
The Wanderers were quick to push their case for four sides but Lyons is eager to field an additional senior team in the NPL.
“The plan is to have five teams in total – two senior sides, under 17s, under 15s and under 13s.”
“We’ve already received plenty of interest and really favourable responses from all across the region too, so we’re keen to get players from places like Griffith, Albury and the South West Slopes too.
“It’s a much higher quality competition than others around here and it’s a much more technical game at that level.”
A full coaching list has also been locked in with incumbent Wanderers under 20s coach Mick Godbier accepting the top women’s job last week.
A former Western Mariners NPL and Cootamundra Strikers coach, Godbier will add plenty of experience to the fledgling program while retaining his pre-existing connection to the Wanderers community.
Current Lake Albert women’s coach Sam Gray will take on the under 17s side while Lyons and his daughter Tia will lead the under 15s and under 13s respectively.
“Mick’s a very well regarded coach and a lot of girls and women who’ve played soccer in the area have learned a lot from him,” Lyons said.
“He was certainly our first pick as the women’s coach and I think he adds a huge amount to the program.”
Trials are set to kick off next week with Lyons encouraging a large turnout for the first session on October 18.
“We’ll have trials in the next few weeks and our aim is to begin pre-season training before the end of the year.
“We’re expecting those two senior sides and the under 17s to be pretty fluid with players moving in between teams as required.
“We also looking at arranging a few pre-season games against other NPL sides and two have already expressed interest in having a run against us, but that probably wouldn’t be until January next year.”
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