Division 1 had a very tough season playing in the most competitive women's soccer division in NWSWS Association which is the biggest and best women's Association in the country. Fielding a competitive and stable team this year was made difficult due to high number of players being absent for periods of the season. Players who did play all season I believe got a lot out of the tough competition and found the season rewarding. On a personal note I had a great season and enjoyed the year. Hopefully we will keep most of the team for next year and go back to Division 2, where we truly belong.
It's hard to say which comes first, the winning or team spirit, but Division 3 managed to achieve both this year. With our very own Jurgen Klinsman on the side armed with the white board and marker pen, Division 3 reached the finals for the first time in four years. Had it not been for the rain and some bad luck in rescheduled fixtures I believe we would have made the Grand Final.
The season has to be remembered for the World Cup 2006 which dominated most of our conversations and social diaries. With a multi national team such as Div 3 there were always going to be a few rivalries. One such match saw segregated English and German camps with flags flying and shirts being worn with pride, to the side the small Irish delegation going for Paraguay!? Luckily the fantastic Socceroos performances united us all in the Hampshire at 4am on cold and rainy mornings....it was never a penalty!!
Some memorable moments from the season include, coming back from 2-0 down to draw with Sydney Uni and celebrating like we’d won the world cup, some outstanding individual goals from Mel, Dan and Angie amongst others. Sarah’s goal - I’m not sure which part of her body scored it, but a goal’s a goal! Angie nearly making the ref cry after the back pass incident by suggesting that he goes home to read the rule book. Jackie nearly starting a fight with West Ryde Rovers... and Sydney Uni... and Putney Rangers....eh, Jackie calm down.
The team went from strength to strength and due to excellent commitment and attendance from players we managed to field strong teams every week. But in the end, season 2006 came down to one very special team member.
This member took a while to settle in. Not all of us took them straight away and some of us even tried to stop them taking part in matches, including the refs. However as the season progressed this Div 3 member became more and more valuable and was responsible for the majority of Div 3 goal this season. This member was so dedicated that it stayed to play with us even when it’s partner went home to watch the world cup live in Germany. Our love for this player became fanatical by the end of the season, Division 3 2006 was all about THE GERMAN BALL!!!!
Due to many teams applying for a place within Division 4 this season, our Div 4 team after finishing 6th out of 8 was unexpectedly pushed down to Division 5. It was a shock but we quickly got over it and started the season quite strong. We also finished quite strong too but we won’t talk about the bit in the middle.
The new Div 5 continued on from last season with 9 out of the 11 players who finished the season returning to the team. We also had a few new characters join the team which added nicely to the mix of girls. The new girls fitted in well and quickly found their feet within the team (both on the pitch and propping up the bar afterwards).
In true Div 4/5 fashion we played hard and strong. We would have won the season if it wasn’t for those damn fit youngsters on the other teams (which is what we told ourselves every week during that middle part that we don’t want to talk about). In the end it came down to the round robin (our version of the world cup). We went out determined to win and that we did. We all now have shiny pennants to show for it and we are sooo proud…GO Div 5!!....Hoo HAA!!
Well, where do I start? Div 9, what an absolutely awesome dedicated group of girls with the best attitude of any football team I’ve ever seen. Predominately the team consisted of a group of girls who hadn’t even seen a football before let alone played the game, so it was bound to be an interesting season.
The first few games of the year we got off to a pretty shakey start to say the least. Out of the first five games of the season we lost four with a total score line of 4(us) – 18 (them). It wasn't looking great. Our main problem was fielding a full side and learning the rules! :o) But with the injection of a few new players, working out where we were suited to play and familiarisation with the rules, everything just fell into place and we started playing some awesome football. Week in week out we were pulling off some really convincing wins and the quality of football just went from strength to strength. This would definitely have to do with the fact that every Wednesday night at least three quarter's of the team would be running their butts off at training. There's a lot to say for hard work that's for sure. All of a sudden it wasn't a case of 'did we win?' but 'how much did we win by?'
Six weeks into the competition we were a clear contender for the wooden spoon, however, thanks to hard work, dedication, a great attitude and teamwork we finished second on the table, a mammoth effort to say the least.
We made it through to the Grand Final, the only Bats team to do so for 2006. And that for a group of beginners at the start of the season was pretty damn good. By the way, thanks to all those Batties, soccer wives and friends who came along to support us, we felt like superstars for the day!!! :o)
The girls played their hearts out and did manage to put the ball in the back of the net with a stunning cross from Julie, tap on from Mel and a sliding Annette put the ball away. But unfortunately we were called offside. Oh well, such is life. 80 minutes were unable to break the deadlock, as was the additional 20 minutes extra time, and we headed to penalties. All the girls played incredibly well and Emma, our trusty goalie, managed to keep one out, in a brilliant effort. But unfortunately we lost on penalties.
Div 9 had a totally awesome 2006 season and bonded so well as a team. I'd like to thank each and every one of them for their hard work, dedication and great attitude this year. You all made my job so easy and I've really enjoyed my Sundays with you all….. even if I couldn't talk afterwards from all the shouting! :o) It's been a great year so bring on next season where I'm sure we can go one better and win the GF!!!