Hooks continues to star for the Stingrays

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As they continue to push for the NPL Women’s Premiership with a match against Manly United this weekend, we spoke to Illawarra Stingrays star Poppie Hooks about the season so far.

Stingrays have been in strong recent form, picking up three wins, one draw and one loss in their last five matches.

“With the recent form the girls are playing it’s definitely made it easier for all of us and our coach Steve (Gordon) to implement new ideas and playing structures at training,” Hooks said.

“I think everyone is really putting everything they have to get the results we have gotten and I’m excited to keep this good form going and hopefully take it to finals.”

Hooks has been a key pillar behind what has been a strong season for the Stingrays thus far, and scored the only goal of their last game, which was a 1-0 win over UNSW FC.

“I would say the biggest change I have made since last season was my mentality, meaning I force myself not to get hung up on mistakes anymore and I do that through trying to be a vocal leader on the pitch as I feel it helps me perform better as well,” she said when asked about her form this campaign.

“I’ve also had a lot of guidance from more experienced players in the team like Danika Matos and Caitlin Cooper just to name a few.”

Illawarra will travel to face Manly on Sunday evening, in a crucial match that sees third take on sixth, with only the top-four making finals.

“I’m very excited for Manly,” she said.

“Not really for the drive up there, but they look like they have been consistently putting in good performances, and I can’t wait to play against the strong team they have.

“We just have to keep our standards high as usual and I have no doubt the Stingrays girls can travel up and win it.”

And Stingrays will have ambitions beyond the top-four, as they currently sit just two points off the top of the table.

A win in this fixture is vital to keep the pressure on the two sides above them, as they search for what would be a sensational NPL Women’s NSW Premiership.

“Winning the Premiership would actually be the best thing to happen all year, I don’t think there is a more deserving group of girls to do it, and we have a team to go all the way, there’s no doubt,” Hooks said.

“I think a lot of my Stingrays teammates deserve a lot more recognition for the season they have had, and winning the Premiership with them would be a great end to an already fun and amazing season from all of us.”

Illawarra Stingrays and Manly United will kick off at 5pm at Cromer Park on Sunday, the 17th of August, with the match also available live and free on Football NSW’s YouTube Channel.