FFSA Women's Challenge Series

[M@rvin]

FFSA is pleased to announce the inaugural squads for the first Women Challenge Series which kicks-off on May 1 at Burton Park.

The competition will be played on the first Wednesday of every month and the Challenge Series has been designed to open new pathways for Women’s Football in South Australia.

The monthly tournament will offer more female players the chance to play representative football and provide opportunities for players over the age of 18 striving to play at the top level, namely the Westfield W-League.

The squads are not permanent and throughout the Series new players will be given the opportunity to compete in the Series and represent their zones.

Each month a Women’s Premier League coach will take charge of the teams, with Sturt Marion’s Tom Ballantyne at the helm of the Southern All Stars and FFSA U14/15’s Jono Ruse leading the Northern All Stars.

This Series is aimed at showcasing the best players in South Australia.

The fixtures for the first Round are as follows;



Week 1 Wednesday May 1st (Burton)

Game 1: 6.30pm Southern All Stars vs. Northern All Stars
Game 2: 7.20pm FFSA NTC vs. Northern All Stars
Game 3: 8.10pm FFSA NTC vs. Southern All Stars



NORTHERN ALL STARS

Kelly Barltrop (GK) Para Hills Knights
Tanya Katianos Adelaide Olympic
Ebony Weidenbach MUWFC
Susan Bassett Para Hills Knights
Lucy Adamopoulos Adelaide Olympic
Rochelle Kuhar MUWFC
Vanessa Reed MUWFC
Katrina Bexis Adelaide University
Jenna McCormick Adelaide University
Rachel Quigley Adelaide University
Laura Johns Adelaide University
Donna Cockayne MUWFC
Sophie King Adelaide University
Chloe Green Metro United
Rhiannon Peate Adelaide University


Coach: Jonathon Ruse (FFSA U14/15)


SOUTHERN ALL STARS

Hayley Truskewycz (GK) Adelaide City
Jodie Bruce Adelaide City
Ashley Faul Sturt Marion
Cassie Tsoumbris Fulham United
Alicia Nikolas Adelaide City
Jess Nagel Adelaide City
Daniela Di Bartolo Adelaide City
Maddie Du Rieu Adelaide City
Sally Treharne Sturt Marion
Bianca Grey Sturt Marion
Isabella Scalzi Adelaide City
Emma Campbell Cumberland United
Tahlia McGrath Cumberland United
Michelle Male Adelaide City
Lousie Tiani Fulham United


Coach: Tom Ballantyne (Sturt Marion)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[SAD GAL]

Excellent initiaitve. Well done and congrats to the inaugural participants.

[terminator]

Why are players from Olympic being selected when they are not in the Prems?

Makes a mockery of the Prem League when girls having a kick in the Reserves because they are sick of the league set up.

Why aren't all the players being picked from the Prems - that should be mandatory criteria.

[M@rvin]

Guide lines here:
http://www.ffsa.com.au/home/news-archiv ... ge-series/
Olympic are the reserve team for FFSA.

[juniorsupporter]

Terminator, the team lists are posted earlier in this thread- I think there's one player from Olympic. There are several in that squad who hadn't planned on playing at all, from what I understand and if Olympic has kept them in the game, then good for them. Also, that reserves team would not come last in the Prems division- there are quality players there. Lastly, if including some quality older (over 20) players in the competition gets them itching for a higher level of play then that's another bonus to including them. The women's game can't afford to lose any more experienced players from the game altogether and if they can be drawn back into greater commitments to the sport, then I think we should all be supportive of that.

[the barbarian]

If you look through Olympics squad they have a very strong list of registered players and would probably be competitive against most prem teams. If they had their best 15 players available and fit at any one time they would probably beat more prems teams than would beat them.

[terminator]

If you look through Olympics squad they have a very strong list of registered players and would probably be competitive against most prem teams. If they had their best 15 players available and fit at any one time they would probably beat more prems teams than would beat them.

That's exactly my point.

Then why don't struggling Prem teams then just pack up and say its all too hard and just put 1 solid team on the park like Olympic in the Reserves instead of struggling to put out a 1st and Reserve team.

The league is sending the wrong message by picking Olympic players for this because some clubs may follow suit next year and do the same as Olympic.

[juniorsupporter]

Olympic put one solid team on the park, because that's all they have- not enough numbers for a second team (barbarian, correct me if I'm wrong). They would have preferred to play in Prems, I'm sure, but that wasn't a choice for them. After all, what good is it doing those players to win by 8 goals every week? I think they are looking ahead to next year and beyond. They had to start somewhere. I don't think teams in the Prems are going to 'pack it in' just so they can cane everyone each week in a lower division.

As for why the weaker teams choose not to pack it in (and don't think it didn't occur to some)- there are several factors at work, I imagine. With the fluidity in the women's game, there is always the possibility that the weakest teams this year will be strongest next year, whether because of coaching changes or player movement, or both. The weaker teams think to themselves that they have always been Prems teams and to not field a team in the Prems would be a big deal. Also, if the NPL is implemented for women's competitions next year, in order for a club to play in the elite stream they will have to have a Prems side and several junior sides in support. No club that is in the Prems now, and considers themselves a club with a tradition of producing elite teams and players is going to want to go into that change without a Prems and Reserves side- they'd end up a social club and that's not how they see themselves.

And lastly, which weaker clubs are we talking about? Last year it was Sturt, and while they're not winning every week this year, they are certainly in a much better position than last year. I think that, at full strength, most teams could beat most other teams on any given Sunday. The teams that aren't at the top just aren't as deep- For instance, Fulham held City to 3-2 until the last ten minutes yesterday- they didn't have the same fresh legs as City and were missing a few key players through injury and travel- at full strength it may have been a different game.

[terminator]

From what I hear Fulham are 1 of those teams where they have to get 15 and 16 year old girls to play Reserves because they dont have the numbers.

Throwing these girls to the wolves is just silly and will turn the girls away - 15 and 16 year old girls should be playing under 15 and 17 unless they are truly capable and the socrelines they are getting tells me they are not.

Maybe the answer is to play in Div 1 as a single team instead of 1 team in the Prem Reserves like Olympic.

Begs the question why Olympic have 1 team in Prem Reserves - why are they not in Div 1 as a single team like other girls teams?

Special favours?

Special rules?

Womens Comp is a joke and run by jokers.

[juniorsupporter]

I guess that's one way to look at it.

[M@rvin]

If you put the Olympic Reserves team in Div 1 the scores would be higher than those being scored now in the reserves.
As said previously FFSA needed a reserves team and Olympic did not have enough player to run both prems and reserves, so good for both.
So for once probably a good compromise.

[terminator]

If you put the Olympic Reserves team in Div 1 the scores would be higher than those being scored now in the reserves.
As said previously FFSA needed a reserves team and Olympic did not have enough player to run both prems and reserves, so good for both.
So for once probably a good compromise.

I disagree.

Reserves team are the players not good enough to make the 1st team.

Playing in Div 1 you are playing teams that are more socially based and dont want to take it as seriously but doesn't mean the players are not as good.

I beg to differ that Olympic would be winning by more in Div 1 than in Prem Reserves - I think the opposite - they would be harder pushed in Div 1.

I agree with 1 thing you said - they were put in to make the numbers even - just to make it easy for Wendy and co and not look silly.

Like I said womens comp is a joke at the moment.

[Worthless Gobemouche]

If you put the Olympic Reserves team in Div 1 the scores would be higher than those being scored now in the reserves.
As said previously FFSA needed a reserves team and Olympic did not have enough player to run both prems and reserves, so good for both.
So for once probably a good compromise.

I disagree.

Reserves team are the players not good enough to make the 1st team.

Playing in Div 1 you are playing teams that are more socially based and dont want to take it as seriously but doesn't mean the players are not as good.

I beg to differ that Olympic would be winning by more in Div 1 than in Prem Reserves - I think the opposite - they would be harder pushed in Div 1.

I agree with 1 thing you said - they were put in to make the numbers even - just to make it easy for Wendy and co and not look silly.

Like I said womens comp is a joke at the moment.

Reserves teams are for players not good enough to make the 1st team ? Not true. I believe a reserves side is there to support the 1st team , to enable players to train with the 1st team squad and to further develop.

Olympic should have been placed in Div 1. They would be challenged more regularly there than they are or will be in the reserves comp. I always was of the understanding that to play in the Prems / Reserves comp you had to have a junior set up. Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't believe Olympic do.

Last year it was Sturt who had the rub of the green regarding maintaining a spot in the Prems / Res comp even though they couldnt field two sides. This year it's Olympic. Both Fulham and Cumberland have entered teams that are clearly a long way from competitive and with a good junior base and hopefully a now more loyal playing group I hope they can begin the long rebuilding process. Theres no benefit in my opinion of taking the easy way out by recruiting or regenerating a club and pushing your way into the top level comp as Olympic appear to have done.

Blaming Fulhams and Cumberlands poor results on the 'state of the womens game in SA' is a short sighted claim in my opinion. However, from the outside looking in, I don't quite understand how two clubs with sucessful junior set ups find themselves in their current plight

[the barbarian]

At the end of last year and early in 2013 Olympic spoke to the ffsa and requested to be placed back in the premier league in 2013 or at worst to be placed back in at the highest level that was available to them. The ffsa decided as Olympic had no junior set up at the time, and there was no vacancy in the womens premier league, the ffsa would not place them back in the premier league. Then I believe they were only placed in the reserves when I think, South Adelaide withdrew from that reserves competition and an uneven number of teams remained which would have ment byes etc. Similarly the ffsa would not place them in div 1 or div 2 as in the ffsa words 'there were no spots available' as div 1 and 2, they indicated is based on relegation and promotion so if they were not to appear in any of these divisions they would have been in div 3 (could you imagine the scorelines in that division).
Anyone who follows the womens higher divisions would know that the stronger reserves teams currently and in the past would certainly beat all div 1 teams, and most quite comfortably.
The games Olympic have played have been very competitive and the score lines do not really reflect the competitive nature of the games. Even though they beat sturt marion 8-0 Sturt played very well in patches, they passed the ball around very well and it was just the extra experience in the Olympic team that enabled this score line as at half time score was 2-0.
Most of the girls that are currently playing at Olympic would not otherwise be playing, as many are recently retired players and did not want that extra full time commitment often required to play in the premier league teams. Many are not available to play every week due to various commitments, but they are happy to play and stay involved in the game and enjoy playing once again, with the club happy for them to continue playing and staying involved with less demanding commitments.
The ffsa Challenge series is really designed as trials to select some players for the upcoming AU squad by hopefully playing the best available players in SA in a round robin tournament.The two Olympic players selected in the northern allstars would make any current Prems team and they are keen to try out at this level, one of the girls was in the under 18 matilda's squad as a junior, but since those days many aspects of her commitment to soccer changed for various personal reasons, but now she appears back on track and committed to playing again.
Olympic had other players who were originally selected and expressed an interest in the challenge series and may have been happy to play but the biggest negative for them being involved was that the games were being played at Burton, for some reason this was a big turn off for them.
Should be an interesting series just hope the girls that play in the series are not burnt out by the end of the season, then leading into the AU pre-season and playing season without a real break.

[gunners14]

At the end of last year and early in 2013 Olympic spoke to the ffsa and requested to be placed back in the premier league in 2013 or at worst to be placed back in at the highest level that was available to them. The ffsa decided as Olympic had no junior set up at the time, and there was no vacancy in the womens premier league, the ffsa would not place them back in the premier league. Then I believe they were only placed in the reserves when I think, South Adelaide withdrew from that reserves competition and an uneven number of teams remained which would have ment byes etc. Similarly the ffsa would not place them in div 1 or div 2 as in the ffsa words 'there were no spots available' as div 1 and 2, they indicated is based on relegation and promotion so if they were not to appear in any of these divisions they would have been in div 3 (could you imagine the scorelines in that division).
Anyone who follows the womens higher divisions would know that the stronger reserves teams currently and in the past would certainly beat all div 1 teams, and most quite comfortably.
The games Olympic have played have been very competitive and the score lines do not really reflect the competitive nature of the games. Even though they beat sturt marion 8-0 Sturt played very well in patches, they passed the ball around very well and it was just the extra experience in the Olympic team that enabled this score line as at half time score was 2-0.
Most of the girls that are currently playing at Olympic would not otherwise be playing, as many are recently retired players and did not want that extra full time commitment often required to play in the premier league teams. Many are not available to play every week due to various commitments, but they are happy to play and stay involved in the game and enjoy playing once again, with the club happy for them to continue playing and staying involved with less demanding commitments.
The ffsa Challenge series is really designed as trials to select some players for the upcoming AU squad by hopefully playing the best available players in SA in a round robin tournament.The two Olympic players selected in the northern allstars would make any current Prems team and they are keen to try out at this level, one of the girls was in the under 18 matilda's squad as a junior, but since those days many aspects of her commitment to soccer changed for various personal reasons, but now she appears back on track and committed to playing again.
Olympic had other players who were originally selected and expressed an interest in the challenge series and may have been happy to play but the biggest negative for them being involved was that the games were being played at Burton, for some reason this was a big turn off for them.
Should be an interesting series just hope the girls that play in the series are not burnt out by the end of the season, then leading into the AU pre-season and playing season without a real break.

Anyone who follows the womens higher divisions would know that the stronger reserves teams currently and in the past would certainly beat all div 1 teams, and most quite comfortably.


I think you are jumping the gun here a bit without some facts. Some of these div 1 teams are quite capable of beating reserves teams and this has been shown before.

[Lucas Leiva]

At the end of the day, I thought development wasn't about the results

Large losses don't deter anyone from continuing in football. One year in U14s, we conceded 86 goals and scored 6, and from that team 2 players trained at SASI and 4 played regular 1st team Super League.

I think those of you asking for Olympic to be in Div 1 or lower are showing a lack of respect for the 'social' divisions. These are one-team clubs / developing teams that don't deserve to be the fodder for players that decide they want to go play with high-quality friends at a 'new' club. Nothing against Olympic, but even harking on the words of the most negative of all - Sad Gal - we need the experienced players at the highest levels so that the younger girls coming through can see what level of technical and tactical background to aspire to.

We all just need to put things into perspective

[SAD GAL]

I think you’re all delusional if you think your game can afford to be choosy. Basically, anyone in divisions (other than prems) could get a gig with most (if not all of the prems teams). Selection criteria is non-existent (or appears to be flimsily applied).

Commenting on which teams should have players playing in this comp or not is non-sensical. You try and tell me the one sided games that have been occurring validates that prems teams and their players are the best?

Wake up Australia. Your game doesn’t have the luxury of eliminating players from lower divisions. That’s’ arrogant short sighted and perilous to your game’s own survival.

Clear enough?

[jim.mcguinness]

excellent idea , lets develop the womens game by having all of the players in a few select teams and play each other a few times a season...mmmmmmmmmmm , but wait there is more , to develop things further lets make up another competition in the same season for the same players so they can play each other a few times more ......................GENIUS !!

[Easy Tiger]

excellent idea , lets develop the womens game by having all of the players in a few select teams and play each other a few times a season...mmmmmmmmmmm , but wait there is more , to develop things further lets make up another competition in the same season for the same players so they can play each other a few times more ......................GENIUS !!

I actually thought the same thing!

[M@rvin]

Dont forget its only for the "old" players, those over 18.

[live to play]

excellent idea , lets develop the womens game by having all of the players in a few select teams and play each other a few times a season...mmmmmmmmmmm , but wait there is more , to develop things further lets make up another competition in the same season for the same players so they can play each other a few times more ......................GENIUS !!

I think the aim is to show case selected players and possible w-league candidates who are over a certain age & may have gone under the radar or may have not developed a name for themselves like some other w-league players in the past. The idea is there however I am unsure if it's going to be successful. No harm in trying.

[johnydep]

excellent idea , lets develop the womens game by having all of the players in a few select teams and play each other a few times a season...mmmmmmmmmmm , but wait there is more , to develop things further lets make up another competition in the same season for the same players so they can play each other a few times more ......................GENIUS !!

It's laughable, well it would be if it was run by the Carry On Gang

I've said this many times, I'll say it again:

• The FFSA must put all resources into running the competitions and the administration associated with the sport.
  State teams and Development squads must be run by a separate entity; not the FFSA.

[here we go]

Ever since the FFSA has had Development Squads, a lot of resources seem to be pooled into this area. Shame the structure of these programs doesn't match the resources allocated. These development squads are not helping the longevity of the game as player numbers are still dwindling.

Work with clubs to increase participation of the game at "grass roots level" and then we will have a competition for these elite players to play in.

It seems to be a waste of time developing the best players and most credentialed coaches if there is no competition to play in!!!!!

[SAD GAL]

I think this latest posting has me very very very worried and fearful of the future of the women's game. "Dwindling numbers". Can someone verify this disturbing statistic?

Not a good thing if its happening.

[snow white]

I recall 2-3 years back, the Federation released a player number breakdown per club.

Unfortunately I don't think the exercise was repeated, but statistically would be very interesting to see the playing numbers across the board, the amount of clubs and divisions involved. from say the last year women's football was under the SAWSA umbrella till now.

I do note however how the Federation no longer sings the tune 'that women's football is the fastest growing participation sport in the country' ... under SAWSA I heard that line regularly, but now its never mentioned. Wonder why??

[SAD GAL]

Maybe it peaked years ago and is now declining. At what point then does the panic button get hit?

[snow white]

Maybe it peaked years ago and is now declining. At what point then does the panic button get hit?

Exactly my point ......

You get worried when you lose players.

You start to sweat when your lose teams.

You lose sleep when you lose clubs.

and you hit the panic button when you lose entire divisions which we have seen over past two years.

But i get the impression that Nero plays the fiddle whilst Rome burns.

[ball_girl]

2 Games have been postponed...

"Three matches were originally scheduled for the opening night of the tournament, however Adelaide City and Cumberland United are set to face-off in their Round 1 catch-up fixture which will be played on Thursday, May 2 at Park 19 at 7pm.

With a number of players from those teams selected to play in the Challenge Series, only the FFSA NTC v Northern Allstars clash will go ahead on Wednesday as part of the Women’s Challenge Series.

The FFSA NTC-Southern Allstars match and the Northern v Southern Allstars match have been rescheduled for Wednesday, May 8 at Burton Park.



FFSA Women’s Challenge Series Fixtures:

Wednesday May 1, Burton Park

FFSA NTC v Northern Allstars – 7:20pm

Wednesday May 8, Burton Park

Northern Allstars v South Allstars – 7pm
FFSA NTC v Southern Allstars – 7:50pm"

[snow white]

Why would ffsa sanction the catch up game this Thursday and disrupt this new concept.

What better way to annoy the 'older' players with another administrative oversight!

[the barbarian]

this is very annoying and disappointing to the players and clubs, as we/clubs are meant to pass on info to the players participating, yet We only find out that the games have been rescheduled from someone on the forum.
Originally the girls playing were advised to be at burton about a hour before their first game?? originally at 6.30pm for the northern allstars, now only game at 7.20pm (we think as no official information received by clubs from ffsa regarding the change in program). Can someone please confirm the change so we can advise the girls who are meant to be playing tomorrow(wednesday night).
Then they wonder why clubs get annoyed and many players do not want to play in this challenge series.