Cassachia continues to fly the flag for Bankstown City FC
It’s not often you can say a ‘one club player’ but Bankstown City Lions’ Skye Cassachia is exactly that.
Having been a part of the club from the start, through thick and thin, the midfielder is still bossing the opposition around.
Into her 11th season at Jensen Park, Cassachia was honoured by the club in 2022.
“I received my 10 year club player award in 2022, the 2023 season is my 11th season at the club,” a proud Cassachia said.
Only one player has been at Jensen Park as long as the midfielder, Monica Nolevski, but she took a year off this year and brought her streak to an end.
The football club has evolved over the years and from playing in the State League competition (third tier) in 2013 to promotion all the way to the NPL, Cassachia has been there for the whole ride.
“I began playing in the SAP program with the boys when I was nine years old as there was no Women’s teams,” Cassachia recalls.
“In 2013, women’s competitive teams were introduced for the first time in the club’s history and we started in State league (NPL3) in 2013 and secured our promotion into NPL2 in 2015.
“In 2017, our club was crowned the champions of the NPL2 NSW Women’s competition as we held the title of the cup winners in U17’s and First Grade, undoubtedly earning our promotion to the top tier of the NPL.”
Life in the top tier was tumultuous but the signs are there that the club is slowly getting to where they want to be.
“Our first season of NPL was one to remember as we were the first team in history not to be relegated after winning promotion,” said Cassachia.
“We survived relegation by one point ahead of the Sutherland Shire FA.
“The following seasons was a rocky one, we did not win many games and were known as the “easy beats” of the competition.
“Fast forward to 2023, and we are in the best form our club has shown since promotion and are currently in the hunt for finals football.”
Cassachia had special praise for a the whole club but in particular one very special lady behind the scenes.
“It goes without mentioning the dedication from coaching staff and volunteers, specifically Denise Hinton, who has held the women’s program together since it began,” Cassachia claimed.
Until this moment, Cassachia never really thought about the success the club has had over it’s short but memorable history in the women’s game.
“As I was so young (and I like to think I still am) when it all started, I never really reflected on the progress and evolution of the club until I was asked to give facts about the clubs history, that’s when it all comes back to me and I recognise the effort and commitment that has been put into this club to get to where we are now,” reflected Cassachia.
From that side that won promotion to the NPL back in 2017, only one player remains, but Cassachia made sure she took a dig at her teammate too.
“Stephanie Grimbilos is the only player in our current squad that was involved in the promotion of our women’s teams to NPL.
“Despite her 2-3 year gap year playing for Southern Districts and APIA,” Cassachia cheekily threw in.
The 2023 season didn’t get off to the best start for the Lions, with only three wins and seven draws in the first half of the campaign, but the goals don’t change for Cassachia and her teammates at Jensen Park.
“Matt Costantini has always mentioned the three year plan since he was signed as a head coach at the club,” Cassachia said.
“This season is the ‘third year’ of the plan and like every other team, we are aiming for finals football.”
“The first half of our season hasn’t started in our favour, but in saying that, we have only lost 2 games.
“The chemistry our team holds has allowed us to play some fine football and aim to keep growing as we look set to maximise our points in the second half of our season.
“Our club has never been in the NPL finals and we aspire that 2023 is the year we make history.”
With the Sapphire Cup kicking off this year, Bankstown are keen to add some silverware to their cabinet and their run continues next Thursday when they host the Northern Tigers.
“With the introduction of the Sapphire Cup, we are hoping to be the first team to take out that title too,” said Cassachia.
By – Nikola Pozder
