By Tara Murray
Spring Hills’ women’s program continues to fly high, with a number of teams pressing for titles half way through the season.
Hard work has had its own reward with a number of talented players coming to the fore.
The Stallions’ top side, their state league 2 north-west team, is undefeated and is going for a second straight title.
The side’s last loss came in August 2017, when they were in state league 3 west.
The Stallions’ second side, this year in state league 3 west, is also undefeated, as are their under-18s girls and their top under-16 and top under-14 girls teams.
Stallions’ technical director Tom Markovski said they were thrilled with development of their female program, which starts at under-7s.
He said they were not surprised by the results of their state league 2 side, despite it being their first season at that level.
They had a 12-0 win against Yarra Jets on Friday night.
“I said a couple of years ago that we had a side that was of state league 1 standard,” Markovski said.
“I expected us to be on top and expect to win the league.
“We have players who are of an NPL standard. The idea this season is to have both [women’s] teams promoted.”
While the Stallions are focused on getting promoted, they also have one eye on developing players coming through.
Markovski said the club was keen to make sure they were giving local players opportunities.
“We’ve had the opportunity to play some of our under-18s in both the state league 2 and 3 teams,” he said.
“The under-18s are on top and have scored 91 goals in eight games.
“Each week a couple will go into state league 2 and a couple in state league 3. Then some 16s will come up into the under-18s and under-14s into the under-16s.”
Markovski said those stepping up into the open sides were having an impact too.
Imogen Stojanovski, who has scored 27 goals in the under-18s, has also scored in both women’s sides.
Markovski said all the work they are doing with the program was about reaching an even bigger goal, having an NPLW women’s side.
Markovski said Football Federation Victoria has proposed the year 2021 as an opportunity to expand the NPLW.
“That’s the club ambition,” he said.
“A lot of girls could step up into the NPL.
“We want to continue to develop from within.”
Meanwhile, the Spring Hills men’s FFV state league 4 west team lost 2-0 to Golden Plains.
Westside Strikers lost 4-0 to Altona North.
In state league 5 west, Melton Phoenix had a 5-0 win against Wyndham United.
