THE 'green shoots' of Wagga City Wanderers' women's program are beginning to show after their under-15s were awarded the National Premier League ACT premiership last week.
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Although the season was cut short due to COVID lockdowns and no finals were played, the team established themselves as the standout side in the competition.
They won 14 of 16 games, and finished with a plus-65 goal difference, to finish one point ahead of Canberra Olympic with a game in hand.
The Wanderers' senior women's side have finished near the foot of the table in recent years, but the Wanderers' women's National Premier League program manager Tim Cooper said the long term strategy of bringing in talent through the juniors is progressing well.
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"The women's program is a bit harder to retain the participants in, purely because the sport isn't as large locally for females. But we're seeing some amazing growth in the program," he said.
"The 13s' growth from the start of the year was amazing, and we're seeing the foundations for what will be future first grade players.
"We're going to lose a few players regularly as they look for opportunities, they're not going to be Matildas from Wagga. But it's a pathway for them to be noticed."
Coach Rod Buik took the reins of the under-15s this year after a long association with Henwood Park's senior women's side.
"To win a National Premier League (title) which is the national second tier competition underpinning the A-League Women is just amazing," Buik said.
"I would recommend the club to anyone wanting to take their football to another level. This program has created chances for players to be identified for future opportunities."
Buik said the players' passion to learn, and willingness to be versatile and play a number of positions, was key to their success.
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