It’s not just a boys club in football. The fame might go to the male seniors in Australian football, but it’s the women’s teams that more often than not outshine the boys in ability and on the scoreboard.
Case in point: the Caulfield United Cobras SC. Their two women’s teams have both been promoted in just a year, with their State 2 team finishing on top of the ladder and securing promotion to the State League 1, while their State 4 team has secured their place in the State 3 league.
The Greek sponsored team has made a name for itself in the lower leagues. Now the State league 1 coach, Yanni Galanis, has shown there is no big secret to creating a great soccer team – it’s all down to fostering a good relationship with the players.
“The biggest thing I realised early was girls actually really listen, and take on board everything and are really keen to learn,” he tells Neos Kosmos. “Simple things, like having a good relationship with them all.”
Teaching women’s soccer for over 15 years, Mr Galanis was the driving force behind the women’s side at the Cobras.
Between him and the club’s president, George Karagounis, the two developed a women’s program in 2012 that would foster inclusive and positive play.
Now, just a year later, the two teams have both been promoted.
It’s a consecutive promotion for the State 2 team, already moving up from the third tier and now again to the first.
The season saw the team only lose one game, but only managed to qualify in the last round thanks to Brighton Soccer Club inching ever so close.
“It was just a really interesting season,” Mr Galanis says.
“It was tougher competition for us, it gave them an appreciation of what it’s going to be like next year.”
It’s no secret Mr Galanis is looking towards Premier League promotion for his girls.
“My goal is to finish mid-table next year and the second year goal will be giving premier league a crack,” he says.
“It’s a bit of a dream,” he says with a laugh.
The newly formed State 4 women’s team finished second this year to be promoted up State League 3.
Their head coach, Irene Stamatopoulos, is ecstatic the only year old team was able to achieve so much so quickly.
“I am really proud of my team as they have just come together this year and to be able to gel and play attractive football has been a pleasure to watch,” she says.
The club has sacrificed a lot to see their women’s teams succeed. In their first year, the club didn’t charge a fee, to encourage as many girls as possible to sign up and give the game a shot. It’s paid off, and now the club is seeing a boost in interest and enquiries.
“The challenges will be facilities and coaches,” Mr Karagounis says.
As part of their new development program, the club is hoping to introduce a State League 3 team made up of 14 to 18-year-olds, train them two to three times a week and get them to play other State teams to boost their ability.
Currently the club is seeking expressions of interest for women and girls interested in trials for season 2014 for any State 1 vacancies and girls interested in trials for development squads.
The club hopes to run a workshop in early February which will provide interested girls with the opportunity to meet the coaches and experience a practical session.
For more information visit www.cobrasfc.com.au/