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Costantini and Cansdell-Sheriff to lead Women’s and Men’s First Grade in 2021

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Bankstown City Lions are delighted to announce the appointment of Matt Costantini and Shane Cansdell-Sheriff as the National Premier League NSW Women’s and National Premier League 3 NSW Men’s First Grade coaches for the 2021 season.

Matt Costantini has worked as a Football Analyst at Sydney FC since 2015, and joins Bankstown having coached APIA for the past two seasons.

“Bankstown has put faith in my staff and I to deliver on our goal of being the leading development club in women’s football over the next couple of years. I am excited to help the club continue to build on its achievements and to realise its potential in the NPL1 Women’s.

“I have had the privilege of working with two great mentors at Sydney FC in Rob Stanton and Giancarlo Italiano, who both helped me grow and learn a lot as a coach, and my father Paul who has developed my passion for coaching.

“I am looking forward to the exciting challenge of joining a historic, family orientated club like Bankstown City Lions. The Club has some exciting plans for 2021 and I can’t wait to get this project started” said Costantini.

Shane Cansdell-Sheriff will be replacing Sash Tirovski as the NPL3 Men’s First Grade Coach, who had to step down due to work commitments. The Club is thankful for the fantastic work of Sash Tirovski in 2020, who led the Lions to 2nd place and a Runners Up finish.

Cansdell-Sheriff joins after coaching at Adamstown in the Northern NSW NPL, and an impressive playing career in England, Denmark and Australian junior national teams.

“I am very excited to be at Bankstown for the 2021 season. After spending 5 minutes with the Lions Board, it was clear to see from their enthusiasm, professionalism and passion that we both shared the same positive expectations for the future direction of the Club”, said Cansdell-Sheriff.

“As a player, I always wanted to be involved with a club that was focused on winning and moving forward.

“Bankstown City Lions has a proud history as one of the powerhouse Clubs in NSW, with a passionate fanbase. I can’t wait to drive home a winning mentality and culture across the NPL Men’s playing group and throughout the whole Club.

“With the right discipline, work ethic, and culture, I have no doubt that we can achieve our goals in 2021.”

Aimee Phillips set for coaching journey

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Bankstown City FC’s senior Kiwi star skipper Aimee Phillips will embark on a different journey with the club, apart from her senior NPL playing duties, she is set to kick start her coaching career albeit under the watchful eye of club Technical Director Danny Abboud in the Women’s program.

The 29-year-old will look towards getting involved at a coaching capacity in the youth Girls squads with Abboud set to mentor Phillips.

“I am delighted with Aimee’s addition to the club’s Women’s program.

“Aimee is a role model with international experience that is sure to push the club’s goals and outcomes even further.”

Phillips, born in Rununga, has been capped by the Kiwi side eight times and has also played professionally abroad in Wales, Serbia and Germany where she also played in the UEFA Champions League.

The experienced star will get her first taste of youth Girls football from a coaching position when junior football kicks off on the 1st of July.

Phillips: “This is a time of great uncertainty and fear”

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National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s outfit Bankstown City knew they landed a huge signing when they picked up New Zealand ‘Ferns’ International Aimee Phillips for their 2020 season – what they didn’t know upon securing one of the best recruits in the league was that a virus called COVID-19 was set to unravel the entire world.

The 28-year-old carries a wealth of football experiences as the Rununga born star tasted football successes in Wales, Serbia and Germany where she also played UEFA Champions League football.

Jensen Park was set to have yet another female star on their pitch, but COVID-19 temporarily put an end to that for now.

“What can I say, it hasn’t been the best of stars, COVID-19 has affected me personally by creating changes in my living arrangements as well as played havoc with work and personal schedules.

“I have kept sane by continuing to train during lockdown but have adapted to online methods in keeping fit and conditioned.

“I’ve also had time to practice aspects such as my football technique but nothing can replace the team environment and vibe, I miss that badly.

“Prior to lockdown, I was a member of the Performance Playground, a gym based in North Sydney run by lovely owners Fran and James. I was working on lift classes and gymnastics. I was completing around 6 sessions a week as well as a YOYO test on top of my football training but ever since the lockdown took place, these things have been hard to come by, but I have learned to adapt.”

Work wise, Phillips runs a private English tuition business (click here for more info) so she’s been blessed with being able to do this with football coming at a standstill for now.

However, the self-isolation procedures have proved tough obstacles for the gun star to gain access to more work.

“Work has obviously become a very unstable part of my life, being a footballer and learning to deal with change is normal.

“However losing most work and needing to adapt has proven to be challenging and this has made me feel vulnerable during this time.”

The lockdown has hurt Phillips mentally but her never say die attitude and willingness to overcome any obstacle has been her positive lights in these tough times.

“It’s no secret that this is a time of great uncertainty and fear for not just me but everybody.

“It’s by no means a position anyone should ever have to encounter, although you may feel alone, you really aren’t.

“The time will pass, we won’t ever be the same, but like all challenges in life, they force us to grow as well as learn to adapt and seek positive changes in our lives.

“We are all in this together and will help each other so I wish nothing but the safety of all our football family so we can get back to playing the game we all love.”

Her love for the game is evident for all to see but it’s the people, the laughs, her Bankstown teammates and the team environment in working to one common goal and that’s winning that has been missing in Phillips life thus far.

Aimee we hear you, we cannot wait till this is all over so we can see first hand what damage you can do on the football pitch in our top tier women’s competition.

You can also check out Aimee’s personal website on www.aimeephillips.com/

Phillips putting in the hard yards during the football lockdown at her local park

Round 1 Review – NPL NSW Women’s

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What a way for the NPL Women’s NSW competition to kick off! There was plenty to see across the five live streamed games.

Football NSW Institute v Northern Tigers

It was the perfect start to the season for Leah Blayney’s side, coming away with all three points in their clash with the Northern Tigers at Valentine Sports Park.

The first goal of the game came after only eight minutes as Aideen Keane’s high press saw her disposes Servet Uzunlar and bare down on Eliza Campbell.

Her placed shot beat the keeper but rebounded off the post into the path of Bryleeh Henry who placed the ball into the back of the net.

The Tigers held most of the possession and tried to create something through Uzunlar on various occasions but the Young Institute side stood firm in defence.

For the home side, they sat deep and waited for their opportunity on the counter attack and looked to threaten Campbell on the break.

It took the Tigers less than a minute in the second half to find the equaliser as Daisy Arrowsmith crossed for Maddie Bart who headed well into the back of the net.

Gallagher seems to be ‘one to watch’ from the Institute this season and she continued to create issues for the Tigers left side in the second period.

AIdeen Keane should’ve had the Institute back in front in the 67th minute after a fine pass from Gallagher, only to get her bearing all wrong and shoot wide.

But right on 70 minutes it was 2-1 for the home side.

Scarlet Thomas received the ball on the edge of the box and found the top corner, giving an outstretched Campbell no chance.

With 10 minutes to go the Tigers should’ve been level once more.

Aimee Phillips got onto the end of a neat team move, moved in on Olivia Riddel but once again the Institute defence reacted well to avert the danger.

In the 86th minute Campbell kept the Tigers in the game with a fine save.

Some fine combination play from the home side had Keane in on goal but Campbell stuck a leg out to save.

Campbell showed safe hands a minute later, this time saving from Paris Kambouris.

The away side couldn’t create one final chance to find an equaliser as the depleted Institute recorded a excellent opening day win.

FNSW Institute 2 (Henry 7’, Thomas 70’)

Northern Tigers 1 (Bart 46’)

 

NWS Koalas 5 – 0 Emerging Jets

At Christie Park the North West Sydney Koalas faced off against the Emerging Jets.

Morgan Roberts had the Koalas in front seven minutes before half time, easing Jaime Gomez’s half time team talk.

As the second half wore on, the Jets began to tire as the home side took full advantage.

First Ariella Cabezas doubled the Koalas advantage with a neat finish after a good original save by Susanna Behne-Smith in the 78th minute.

Emma Stanbury made it three in the 83rd minute before another defensive blunder allowed Sophie Harding to make it 4-0 two minutes later.

Stanbury then had her second and the Koalas fifth from the penalty spot in the 90th minute to round off a 5-0 victory.

 

Sydney Olympic 5-2 Blacktown Spartans

They may be the new girls on the block but they sent warning signs across the competition, showing they won’t be push arounds.

It didn’t take long for Olympic to find their first goal in the top tier, courtesy of Panagiota Petratos.

Susan Phonsongkham soon doubled their advantage after a fine team move.

Sarah Yatim had her first goal in the Olympic blue, extending the lead to 3-0 just before half time.

Petratos then had her second just after the break, making it 4-0 for the home side.

And she completed her hat-trick with a fine shot into the bottom corner to have the home side cruising at 5-0.

Two late goals to the Spartans made the score 5-2.

 

Manly United 1-2 Macarthur Rams

It was always going to be a big game at Cromer Park as Manly United welcomed the champions Macarthur Rams.

And they kicked off the campaign in stunning style, with Rosie Galea scoring an absolute screamer after only four minutes.

On the half hour mark though, the home side was level after Claudia Cholakian rounded off a fine team move.

Both sides pushed hard for the winner and United thought they had it but the ball crashed off the cross bar.

In typical Rams fashion, they had the winner in the third minute of stoppage time.

And it was another stunning goal, this Time by Elizabeth Ralston as she found the top corner herself, an unlikely goal scorer.

 

Bankstown City 0-5 Sydney University 

Bankstown City hosted Sydney University to Jensen Park on Sunday afternoon.

It took until the half hour mark for the away side to hit the front and it was after some fine skill down the left by Julia Vignes who did it all herself, scoring a fine individual goal.

Cortnee Vine continued where she left off from last season, making it 2-0 from the spot.

Just before half time Julie-Ann Russel added a third for the away side.

Mackenzie Hawkesbury had Uni 4-0 up soon after half time, following up on a rebound.

They made it five mid-way through the second period as Nikki Flannery got herself on the scoresheet.

 

Illawarra Stingrays v North Shore Mariners – 13/03/19

-By NPL Women’s NSW writer Nikola Pozder

Round 1 Preview – NPL NSW Women’s

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The wait is finally over, the National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s elite competition kicks off this weekend and do we have some quality matches for you!

Twelve teams, 6 games a week, all streamed LIVE with one game accompanied by commentary, what a step forward for the women’s game.

The teams have completed their long preseasons and are now ready to go to battle for the premiership and grand final, in what seems to be a season without an outright favourite.

Sydney Olympic 

O-LYM-PIC, O- LYM-PIC.

Welcome to the new girls on the block.

For coach George Beltsos it’s been a project getting Sydney Olympic to the women’s top tier over the years, spending almost a decade coaching at the club.

In previous seasons it’s almost become custom for the newly promoted team to find their way straight back into the second tier. Something Beltsos wants to change.

“We want to consolidate our spot in the NPL1 competition and then build as we go.”

To do this they haven’t wasted any time in their recruitment process, bringing the likes of Matilda Teresa Polias to wear the famous blue strip which in itself is a massive feat for the club.

Adding exciting youngsters like Susan Phonsongkham, Angelique Hristodoulou, Panagiota Petratos and goalkeeper of the year Jada Mathyssen-Whyman, the Olympic squad is looking like they will definitely leave their mark on the 2019 competition.

Dutch born striker Lieke De Bever, who took out the Player of the Year in 2018 in the NPL 2 NSW Women’s competition will hope the step up a division will only further her quality as a footballer.

One of the sour points leading into round 1 however has been the unfortunate knee injury to one of the club’s brightest sparks in Maddie Costanzo who has been ultimately ruled out for the season.

Beltsos says he team is raring to go ahead of kick off this week.

“We’re very excited, it’s a new challenge and we’re looking forward to the first game.”

 

Blacktown Spartans 

What to expect from the Blacktown Spartans?

With an average age of just 20, David Saliba will be hoping his team can mature quickly in what will be a competitive campaign.

Saliba has been given the opportunity to lead the first team after a successful stint with the Spartans Reserve Grade team last season, winning the grand final along the way.

Thus why the club has chosen to go down a slightly different path as technical director Stephen Peters explained.

“We want to promote and push through our young talent into the first team.”

“It’s an interesting and exciting time for the club as we aim to consolidate a mid-table position.”

Alix Roberts and Olivia Price have both resigned with Ash Crofts one to look out for.

Kristy Rohrer, Beth Gordon, Hannah Bourke and Keisha Allen have all been added to the team along with the return to the club of Tiana Barton and Anna Vassallo.

 

Manly United

After making four straight finals and winning one Championship, Manly United will definitely be one of the teams to beat this season.

Chris Williams leads the team again and for a coach like him self, he will be after the best results possible.

“Every season we’ve continued to improve and I won’t be expecting any less, my team’s always aim for the top.”

But it will be somewhat different this season at Cromer Park.

“We’re going through a transition phase at the club and some big changes”, Williams added.

They’ve managed to acquire the services of Hannah Peric and Bryany Parker from the North Shore Mariners as well as Emily Bastow and exciting talent from the WA NTC program Cheyenne Wise-Jarvis.

Sophie Nenadovic and Ruby Jackson will also be available this season after missing the last campaign through season-long injuries.

One of United’s best players will be there again in Ally Green, coming off a great W-League season and youngsters Emily Minnet and Jane Vanzino have been promoted to the first team from the reserves while look for a big year from pint-sized attacker Patricia Charalambous.

“I’m happy with the squad assembled, we’ll be a young, hungry team that will play the Manly United way.”

 

Northern Tigers 

The Northern Tigers are one of those that will look to improve on last season’s results and making their way up the ladder.

Squad depth may have been an issue last season for the Tigers and that is something club technical director Jason Eagar has needed to address.

“We’ve had some promising performances in in pre-season. The squad is gelling well and we now have a lot of depth across all positions in the 1st grade squad, along with a host of players keeping the first graders honest for their positions.”

They’ve been busy over the pre-season in terms of the player market too, bringing in the likes of New Zealand Ferns players Aimee Phillips and Malia Steinmetz.

Izzy Foletta has joined the club from Perth Glory while NPL stalwarts Maddie Bart and Daisy Arrowsmith will be welcome additions to the team.

Eagar believes his team will make a stir in this season’s competition.

“Our intent this season is to be very competitive and give ourselves the best chance to get a result in every fixture.”

“The players will be prepared and confident going into the season.”

“We’ll see what that lands us after 22 tough rounds of football.”

 

Bankstown City

It was a tough first season for Bankstown but they managed to keep their heads above water. Just.

Change was needed to insure results improve and that’s exactly what they’ve done, recruiting very well.

They brought in Spartans captain Diyana Cakovski along with Sydney University captain Stephanie Ambrose.

Exciting youngster Vesna Milivojevic has also signed as well as Candace Sciberras from the Western Sydney Wanderers.

Bankstown coach Troy Spinks is looking forward to the new season.

“The team looks ready and we’re excited to see what 2019 will bring for Bankstown City.”

As mentioned earlier, Bankstown saved their spot in the league by the smallest of margins and will now look to build on that.

“After consolidating our place in NPL1 last season, we want to really solidify our place in NPL1, it would be great to see Bankstown and our Red and Black in finals football this year.”

Spink knows who the favourites are for the 2019 season.

“It’s hard to go beyond Sydney Uni but many clubs have so many quality players like Illawarra, Macarthur and Manly.”

 

Sydney University 

Dominant. One of the best ways to describe Sydney University.

From the successful Heather Garriock era to the new beginning with one of the most perspective young coaches in Australian football, Alex Epakis.

Having won the club championship in record time last season, Epakis’ aim is to better that this season.

“The club championship is most important to Sydney Uni and to do what we did last season is remarkable. We want to at least match that this season and if premierships and championships can be added along the way, we’ll take it.”

There hasn’t been much player movement at Uni but Mackenzie Hawkesbury and Mel Caceres both return to their old stomping ground along with Teigen Collister and Julia Vignes, who both spent time in the W-League this season.

Aoife Colvill. And Sarah Morgan have also signed for Uni, having previously worked with Epakis at Canberra United.

The goalkeeping stocks have asp been shaken up with Cort Newbon and Chantelle Symes both coming in from the Instiute.

Nevertheless, his team’s average age is only 19, an amazing achievement for any senior football club.

“I’m very confident we’ll have a good season with the players we have.”

Epakis knows who will be his most dangerous opponents this season and it won’t be any different from previous campaigns.

“Definitely Macarthur Rams and Illawarra Stingrays will be challenging for the title.”

 

Macarthur Rams 

They took their time but they finally won the Championship after numerous stumbles at the final hurdle.

Captain Renee Rollason will line-up in the maroon once again and her targets are set in stone.

“We want to go back to back.”

“It won’t be easy though so making the finals is our main aim.”

They’ll need to do it without one of their leaders with Teresa Polias moving on.

“We’ll be fine. Obviously Teresa is an amazing footballer and person who we all have great friendships with but the Rams wish her all the best at Sydney Olympic.

They’ve managed to hold on to key players Kylie Ledbrook, Sham and Leena Khamis, Rosie Galea and Liz Ralston while adding Tash Prior and Nicola Orgill to their squad.

Last season’s success is something Rollason and her side will use to kick the new season off as best as possible.

“The title was a long time coming and we’re happy to have finished the season on top.”

“It’s given us confidence moving into the 2019 season.”

 

NWS Koalas 

Jaime Gomez knows what he needs to do to win titles and he’ll be hoping he can pass that onto his North West Sydney Koalas.

“We’ve had a good preseason and remained undefeated throughout.”

“Most importantly we’ve had no injuries and the squad is ready to go.”

The Koalas have kept most of their team from last season who made a late charge for finals football, losing only Panagiota Petratos to Sydney Olympic.

Key players like Chilean international goalkeeper Romina Parraguire Plaza, Nat Tobin and Princess Ibini-Isei will all line-up at the fantastic Christie Park complex.

They’ve also managed to add Sophie Harding from Manly, Tiana Jaber from the Mariners and Deborah-Anne De La Harpe from Sutherland.

After a slow start to the 2018 campaign, Gomez needs to make sure his team are ready for battle come Sunday.

“We need to start better than last season and build on from how we finished the season.”

“We just missed out on finals football and that’s definitely something we want to achieve this year along with a top three finish.”

 

Illawarra Stingrays 

Some big noises are coming from the South Coast with the Illawarra Stingrays.

First off, the announcement of former Socceroo Scott Chipperfield as the team’s new head coach, replacing ex-Canadian international Carmelina Moscato.

An amazing achievement from the Stingrays bringing a local hero home.

This was soon followed by the signings of experienced duo with former Sydney FC W-League keeper Trudy Burke and Eden Stoddard who returns to Australia after some time in the US.

With the Stingrays just missing out on the premiership and a grand final appearance last year, they’ll look to go a few steps better this campaign.

Talitha Kramer, Caitlin Cooper and Erica Halloway will all once again wear the pink with a local superstar also tipped to pull on the Stingrays jersey in 2019.

Chipperfield will look to install his football philosophy as soon as possible and with the quality his team possesses, we don’t think it will be a problem.

“I like to attack. Goals win games. We’ve got speed all over the park and we want to play a high tempo game.”

“I’m pretty happy with the team I’ve got, you need a bit of luck with injuries and so on but I’m happy with the squad.”

It won’t be easy for any team making the trip down to JJ Kelly Park this season and the Rays are definitely one of the teams to beat.

 

Football NSW Institute 

What a performance in 2018!

An incredible run saw Leah Blayney’s team finish the competition in fifth place and one game away from the Grand Final.

As has become custom, the new era of Institute superstars will need to step up this season with most of the team moving on to other clubs.

Building a new squad won’t be easy but the Institute have done it before and will need to do it again this season.

“Obviously it’s an opportunity for us to give game time to younger players in a very strong first grade competition”, said Blayney.

“Our goal is to provide more players for the Young Matilda’s and Matilda’s squad.”

Who will step up this season?

There’s a few names earmarked with the likes of Darcey Malone, Greta Kraszula, Margaux Chauvet and Jardan Jasnos some names hoping to make an impact this year.

 

North Shore Mariners  

What do we expect from the North Shore Mariners?

Every season they start their campaign like a house on fire…but then tale off as the season moves on.

Ryan Grogan takes the helm this season as he looks to make vast improvements to the sides seventh placed finish in 2018.

They’ve been busy in strengthening the side over the summer break.

Jasmin Maguire comes over from ACT champions Belconnen United and Camila Arentoft joins from Danish side IF Lyseng.

Katie Offer and Zoe Halpin both return for another season at the Bridge, while 17 year-old Gemma Gray will get her opportunity having worked her way through the club’s youth system.

The likes of Gabe Marzano, Hannah Brewer, Camilla Arentoft, Rochelle Johnson, Maddie Mirkovic and Jordan Evans have also joined the club.

They’re one of the major unknowns for the season ahead but the club is hoping to implement its own unique brand of football in achieving positive results.

 

Emerging Jets 

It hasn’t be easy for the Emerging Jets over the last few seasons.

Similarly to the Institute, every season they go through a whole revamp of their first grade squad.

This season will be no different as the Jets look to improve on their previous season’s results where they finished on the bottom of the ladder.

Head coach Ashley Wilson knows that her squad will learn week in week out playing against quality opposition but they too will possess some hidden gems that are hoping to knock on the Future Matildas door and beyond.

Look for some big performances from this duo, namely  Tessa Tamplin and Renee Pountney to catch the attention at the Jets.

 

ROUND 1 PREVIEW

We kick off the season with live stream and commentary from Valentine Sports Park on Sunday as Football NSW Institute welcome the Northern Tigers.

The Emerging Jets will travel to Christie Park as they face Jaime Gomez’s North West Sydney Koalas.

Fans at Cromer Park will be excited as Manly United face off against the champions Macarthur Rams.

The newly renovated Jensen Park will host its first competitive women’s game as Bankstown City faces a huge test as they host Sydney University.

Sydney Olympic will try and kick their season off in the best possible way when they take on Blacktown Spartans.

In a match rescheduled for next Wednesday, Scott Chipperfield’s Illawarra Stingrays take on the North Shore Mariners.

-By NPL NSW Women’s Chief writer – Nikola Pozder

Twitter handle – @NikolaPozder