One of the stars of the #NPLWNSW competition is APIA Leichhardt’s midfield magician Rhianna Pollicina.
After a fantastic season with the Newcastle Jets in the A-League Women’s competition, Pollicina earned a move to one of the biggest club’s in the country, Melbourne City for the 2021-22 season.
During the off-season though, there’s only one club the crafty creator would rather be at, APIA Leichhardt.
Affectionately known as ‘Mini’, she has called Lambert Park home for a number of years now and her smile lights the place up.
Back in the NPL NSW Women’s competition, Pollicina says it’s the toughest competition ever with immense quality across the competition.
“The NPL has become a much stronger league over the past few seasons. This year seems to be a very tough and close competition between all the teams, anyone can win on their day,” she said.
“There are plenty of players that play across both the competitions which has definitely lifted the standard of the NPL competition.”
Her Maroons have not started the season as well as they would have liked but Mini is certain their fortunes will soon turn.
“We’ve struggled a bit this season but in training we are all working hard and starting to gel as a unit. We’ve had a few players unavailable so far so our starting line-up has changed pretty much every week. Having consistency in the line-up will just improve our performance every week,” Pollicina said.
Since promotion, APIA have only wanted one thing and that’s to be one of the leading female football clubs not only in NSW but the country and this season is no different.
“This year we are really trying to focus on our style of play and when we execute our game plan I believe we play some good football and can push for that top 4 spot,” said the APIA’s playmaker.
For Pollicina, continuing her career overseas is an obvious target and goal but she stays modest, thinking of ot just herself but club and current team mates too.
“Going overseas is definitely a goal for me, personally I’m just trying to focus on being the best teammate I can for my team and helping other players around me, whether that’s with APIA or a different club,” she said.
Similarly, the former Young Matilda keeps her national team hopes in check with focusing first off on her own performances and making sure she is the best she possibly can be.
“I’m just focusing on each game as it comes and trying to put my best foot forward in all aspects of my game, anything else is a bonus.”
-By NPL NSW Women’s Chief Writer and Commentator Nikola Pozder