They have gone from watching their partners and kids on the sidelines to being League Champions in their first season.
The Killarney District Soccer Club’s Women’s All Age 7’s team has booked a spot in this weekend’s grand final after a thrilling comeback win against Ourimbah.
Two goals down with seven minutes to play, the women clawed their way back into the match and then equalised with a fantastic header from Vienna Spence.
Intent on leaving her mark on the match, Spence then threw the keeper’s jersey on for the penalty shootout and saved three goals to seal victory.
It’s been a wonderful season for the team, named League Champions by finishing first in the regular season.
If they win the grand final, they will be crowned the Premiers.
It is a remarkable feat given twelve members of the squad had never played a game of soccer in their lives before this year.
After watching their kids and partners from the sidelines for years, and inspired by the 2023 Women’s World Cup, a group of sixteen mums came together and said “Why not”.
The team nabbed a quality coach in Drew Clifford and he went about teaching them the fundamentals of the game.
The women turned out to be excellent students and progressed from barely being able to kick a ball to playing some exciting football that has been a pleasure to watch for those now on the sidelines.
While the players have enjoyed plenty of success in their first year, discovering the joy that comes from playing a team sport like soccer has been the most satisfying part for them.
It’s a great story that is now inspiring other women to ask “Why not?”.
For more inspiration, be at Pluim Park this Sunday at 8am to watch the grand final.
What legends you all are, you go girls!
You are all amazing and a credit to the game of soccer.
Winners are grinders.
You are all amazing and a credit to the game of soccer.
Winners are grinners