Ambitious Blacktown Spartans Head Coach Brad Attard has stated his intent on giving the 2021 National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s season a big shake-up as his chargers go through their preseason paces for the new year.

The 28-year-old managed to resign the majority of his 2020 squad with current Western Sydney Wanderers gun Courtney Nevin the latest new inclusion in what will be an ultra-competitive team set to also contain other W-League stars such as Ashlie Crofts, Rosie Galea, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Charlotte Grant.

“We have managed to maintain over 70% of our players from last season which is a great result for the club as this shows a great buy in from the majority of the players.

“Of the players lost from the 2020 season, they include the retirement of Candice Sciberras and Alix Roberts, two players who have had stellar NPL careers along with some injuries to some key personnel, although we’re positive to see a few of them back on the park in late 2021.

“As mentioned, our major signing for the 2021 season is Courtney Nevin from the Western Sydney Wanderers – she will join a host of some amazing W-league players that we will welcome back to Blacktown.

“Recruitment is still happening however, and we are hoping to add to that W-League list in the coming weeks.”

Attard mentioned that one player that is set to have a breakout season and that will be one footballer to watch out for is rising star Annabelle Daczko.

“Annabelle Daczko is a star coming through our system, having played 9 consecutive seasons at the club and she’s only 18.

“I had the pleasure of coaching her for two seasons in the Under 15s and she is now a regular first grader. It’s been an absolute pleasure watching her develop and would be expecting another fantastic season from her.”

The Women’s NPL competition is set to kick-off a little later than usual with the Spartans taking on the mighty Sydney University SFC outfit on Sunday 4^th of April at Blacktown Football Park.

Attard stated to Football NSW the objectives he’s outlined for his squad where he hopes to lead the ladies to glory and some much needed silverware.

“Overall I would like our side to be playing a more disciplined style of football as well as managing matches a little better than what we did last year.

“How we would like that to translate is into finals football and the flame burns a bit brighter after finishing just outside the finals spots last season on ‘For and Against’.

“It’s been a real positive start to the 2021 preseason campaign, and we are happy where we sit at the moment.

“Due to the 2020 COVID interrupted season, we decided to give the players a bit over a month during the Christmas period to freshen up. Our sessions to date have been very well received by the playing group and with a late finish to the W-League season, we’ll need to ensure that the entire squad is prepared mentally and physically come round 1 against Sydney Uni.”

The success of female football has certainly been evident at the club with Attard stating that the best is yet to come at the Spartans.

“It’s been an incredible journey for me over the past 6 seasons coaching at Blacktown.

“It’s really chalk and cheese comparing to what it was then to how it is now.

“The awareness and support given to the Women’s side is brilliant.

“We have some fantastic coaches throughout the junior programs and some amazing players coming through which will hopefully transition into senior players in the coming years.”

Promising Young Matildas star striker Kyra Cooney-Cross has become the latest high profile recruit to sign for a National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s side with the Blacktown Spartans winning the race in snapping up the 18-year-old.

After a successful W-League season with the Western Sydney Wanderers, Cooney-Cross was on the hunt for keeping match fit ensuring her development continued with the Spartans recruiting the Queensland born star.

“A few people had mentioned the club to me about how great it is, their good coaching staff and having a good bunch of girls – I saw they did well in the 2019 Women’s NPL competition and jumped at the chance.

“The Women’s NPL is a high-quality competition for girls in NSW, it’s also a league where your noticed by W-League coaches too.

“It’s a league where players can express themselves, have fun and enjoy the game in a competitive environment – these were the other reasons for joining the Spartans.”

With restrictions slowly easing post COVID-19 football lockdown that took place in March, training sessions only have commenced with the hope that senior competitions were next on the list allowing players such as Cooney-Cross to recommence her journey.

“I am obviously very excited for Football to slowly be coming back.

“I’ve enjoyed the time having a break as we don’t get it very often and I think it was good for a lot of the players to have this time off so that we’ll all be back fresh and ready to go.

“I personally can’t wait to be back on the pitch and being with a new team environment enjoying football again.”

The former Wanderer was fortunate that during the COVID-19 self-isolation period she had the help of a specialised Matildas program that kept her fit and raring to go along with landing herself a job.

“That’s right. during COVID-19 restrictions I was lucky enough to be involved with the Matildas and future Matilda’s programs we had which I did daily, keeping up my fitness levels and sharpening up my ball technique.

“I also got a job and started working daily for the first time that kept me busy.”

The move to the Western Sydney Wanderers from the Melbourne Victory last year worked wonders as the ace striker really enjoyed her football which led to her side playing finals football during the 2020 W-League season.

“The move to the Western Sydney Wanderers worked out great for me.

“When I initially signed they had new training facilities as well as coaching staff who were really supportive and helpful.

“The girls were amazing, we all got along really well, they made me feel so welcome and comfortable straight away which helped me to perform at my best.”

One things for certain, the lure of Cooney-Cross, a rising female footballer to our NPL Women’s competition is a huge move and something she hopes will spearhead her to more successes in the not too distant future.

“Hopefully in the coming years I get the opportunity to play overseas with some of the best players and experience being with the Matildas squad, until then I will do my best here in Australia and with the Spartans.”

Along with Cooney-Cross, former Wanderer, Canberra United and Macarthur Rams ace Rosie Galea also penned a deal with the Spartans further bolstering Stephen Peters’ squad.

Happy Little Spartans: Kyra Cooney-Cross (left) shown with Rosie Galea with their new kits

Blacktown Spartans’ National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s star Linda Dudek understands the importance of self-isolating in order to regain that sense of normality with life’s beautiful things sooner rather than later.

The Australian born female football star who represented the Polish national team a few years back has been content with the restrictions and laws put in place ever since COVID-19 came into the picture.

“Regarding the isolation rules put in place that have affected us most, personally, I don’t mind spending time at home.

“I always find something to do, watch or play, whether it’s PlayStation or simply playing cards.

“Therefore, isolation and staying at home isn’t a problem for me and I’m happy to obey the rules and restrictions if it means life, work and football will return back to normal as soon as possible.”

One huge part of Dudek’s life apart from not being able to play her beloved football for now has been the impact it’s had on her day to day job working for regional airlines, Rex.

“Work has been very frustrating.

“The aviation industry has been one of the most affected industries since COVID-19 arose.

“Many cancelled flights and much uncertainty has been testing our sanity in the office.

“Everyday we feel the ‘stand down’ is looming.

“We have been taking turns of working from home to ensure a safe distance is always maintained.

“The past week has been especially tough and mentally straining.

“At the end of the day we are just all hopeful this pandemic ends quickly and safely.”

The ace female football star has found that not being able to maintain a consistency with her normal everyday training and weekend matches with the Spartans has been tough to deal with.

“It has been very strange not having to go to training or be ready for game day on a Sunday afternoon.

“It also happened so suddenly, new changes have been put in place every other day now and you just never realise the impact of football on your life until it’s taken away from you like that.

“I have been trying to keep as fit as possible, hoping not to lose all the hard work put in during pre-season.

“Our coaching staff came up with a brilliant yet simple idea to keep us fit and motivated to move as much as possible – to download the same running/riding App.

“It’s a competition to see who can run the most kms in the 4 weeks we’re out of training.

“They also add challenges on our group chat where we need to send in videos in order to gain bonus kms to our name.

“I have been trying to add an ‘activity’ onto the app daily. I have also taken up cycling with my brother.”

Dudek understood that with the Government issuing harsher laws and rules with regards to COVID-19, these needed to be followed so that the Spartans star along with her fellow teammates could go back to playing on the pitches real soon.

“However you might view this coronavirus, if possible, just stay inside.

“I believe that the quicker we isolate and stop the spread the quicker we get back to playing the sport we love.

“#STAYATHOME I miss seeing the team at trainings and game days ready to compete, score some goals and earning the 3 points.”

Another side that made significant strides forward in 2019 were the Blacktown Spartans, finding themselves playing finals football.

This year, Stephen Peters takes the helm alongside Brad Attard, taking over from the David Saliba who after a fine coaching career decided to hand up the whiteboard.

Peters’ main aim is to replicate 2019 and then see where the team goes to next following that.

“We’re looking to play finals football again. We’ll reassess when we get there.”

Peters identified certain traits that he believes will help his team achieve their 2020 goals.

“We’ve got a great culture, fantastic facilities. Speed to burn and a great work ethic.

“We have a young side and hat can be both a positive or a negative but I think it’s a very big plus for us.”

Despite losing some key players, in particular Olivia Price, the Spartans have also recruited extremely well, most notable Rosie Galea arriving from the Macarthur Rams.

The girls in orange pen their season at Valentine Sports Park where they will take on the Football NSW Institute.

Major Signings: Candace Sciberras, Alyssa Rose Lexie Moreno and Rosie Galea

Major Departures: Olivia Price

Up and Coming Star: Abbey Lemon

Player to Watch: Linda Dudek