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Anthony Guido appointed as Illawarra Stingrays head coach

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National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s club Illawarra Stingrays have appointed Anthony Guido as its new Head Coach for the 2022 season.

The 44-year-old played in the NSL for the Wollongong Wolves as well as winning a scholarship as an 18-year-old with Ipswich Town before playing fifteen years in the Illawarra Premier League where he took out 4 Premierships, 4 Championships as well as winning 3 Golden Boot awards.

Guido was the Head Coach of the club’s Under 17’s squad this year but was also the assistant coach at Wollongong Olympic from 2016 till this season.

“Anthony will bring passion, high energy, a winning spirit and fitness focus,” the Stingrays stated in their official press release.

“He has excellent game management skills that come from playing at high levels himself.

“Anthony has a very professional approach and is genuinely invested in the players, their pathways and careers.”

The Stingrays also announced that Troy Spink has taken over as the club’s new Technical Director.

The former Macarthur Rams TD and ex-Bankstown City Lions Head Coach and TD has taken over Alan Sheldrick who has been with the South Coast club for many years.

While finally the club also announced Elyse Finlayson as the new Reserve Grade coach for the 2022 season.

The former Stingrays footballer is looking forward to giving back to the club she spent many memorable years at as a coach in search of more rising young female talents in the South Coast area.

Stingrays’ Chauvet has welcomed positional change

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After her debut season in the Westfield W-League with the Western Sydney Wanderers, Illawarra Stingrays’ Margaux Chauvet has embraced a move to the middle of the park as she eyes off a hopeful finals charge, pending restrictions, in this year’s NPL NSW Women’s competition.

Life has come pretty quickly for nineteen-year-old Chauvet who in the past twelve months has completed her first season of professional football and most recently being selected as a member of the Young Matildas.

However in retrospect, Chauvet says the challenge of making the move to number six position has been an enjoyable highlight as she continues to develop into an exciting prospect for womens’ football.

“It was a slow start. I knew it was going to be a challenge for me being a defender naturally, however I’ve really enjoyed learning the new role.

“I feel like I’m gradually getting there, it’s a shame being in lockdown as I felt myself and the team getting on a roll.”

And on a roll they were.

Having collected back to back victories prior to the enforced break, it was a welcome return to form for a side who had struggled after leaping out of the gates in the early stages of the year.

“We started really well with three wins and a draw but then we ran into some tough results. Losing Caitlin (Cooper) to the Matildas along with a handful of unlucky results we fell down the ladder a bit.

“I had to battle an injury early on which never helps although I felt like myself and the team turned a corner prior to lockdown.”

Playing a deep-lying role, Chauvet has slowly grown to being one of the hottest prospects in the Women’s top tier competition.

“I’ve gained a lot of experience having played in this league for a few years and I can say it has become very competitive.

“With the players you come up against each week, you can’t allow yourself to take any game lightly. The challenge each week makes the step into the professional game more manageable which is fantastic for me.”

For an ever flourishing womens’ game, it is fair to say that the enforced break couldn’t have come at a tougher time although for the former Football NSW Institute graduate, she is itching to get back out there and carry on the run of form.

“I’m really looking forward to the season beginning again and coming up against these players where I’ll be able to continue to develop in my new role.

“The club has given us programs to keep us in shape so we’ll be ready to continue our roll when the season restarts. If we can pick up where we left off we’ll give ourselves every chance to finish strong.”

-By Joseph Esposito 

Stingrays pushing for finals football

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After a year without finals football, the Illawarra Stingrays finished in fifth place last season and had a good run in the finals, ending their campaign a couple steps short of the grand final.

This year, Bruce Tilt will look to build on that and take his team further up the ladder and deeper into finals football.

The Stingrays have been fine advocates of the women’s game and accompanied with great results, they’d like to see that trend continue.

“We expect to try to build on the platform set from 2019 with strong performances on the park and a glowing profile off the park as a progressive club promoting the Women’s game to our community and beyond.”

That community involvement Tilt touches on is one of many points that make the Stingrays such an approachable club and a real favourite across the competition.

Due to unforeseen weather events such as the devastating fires and then heavy rains, the Stingrays haven’t quite completed the preseason they would have liked.

“One of our weaknesses has to be the disrupted pre-season with fires and rain and the like.

“We are not as prepared as the players would like but there is a good mix of young, enthusiastic players and some mature heads to keep the system working.

“Our strength will be the desire to get results so expect the Stingrays to be on a high at the back end of the game. 

A legend of not only the Stingrays but women’s football, Michelle Carney will lead the Rays again and her importance to the girls in pink is second to none.

“Michelle is the evergreen player of the competition and has football sense a few paces ahead of the opponents.

“Her leadership role at the club is legendary and you can see the younger players enthused by her commitment and passion for the game.”

The Stingrays host last year’s grand finalists Northern Tigers at JJ Kelly Park in round one.

Major Singings: N/A

Major Departures: Erica Hollaway (Injury)

Up and Coming Star: Bronte Trew

Player to Watch: Margeaux Chauvet

By: Nikola Pozder, NPL NSW Women’s Writer

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