Mainland Womens Premier League

Nelson Bays Football representative women's team set to kick it with Mainland

PHILLIP ROLLO

Last updated 12:03, October 29 2015

PHILLIP ROLLO/FAIRFAX NZ

New Zealand under-20 defender Geena Gross, pictured in action for Nelson College for Girls, is the perfect example of a player that warrants playing in the Mainland Women's Premier League.

A combined Nelson and Marlborough team looks set to kick it in the Mainland Women's Premier League.

In what will be a huge boost for female football in the top of the south, Mainland Football has given the green light for a Nelson Bays Football representative team to join their premier league in 2016.

Mainland Football chief executive Julian Bowden said NBF would be a welcome addition to the current seven-team Christchurch competition and that all of the current clubs supported their introduction as a representative side.

"All of the women that play football want the best competition they can get. It may well be a side representing their region [as opposed to a club] but there's always ways to put the best teams in that competition and provide the best competition, so sometimes you need to change the way things have historically been done," he said.

"Nelson is a key part of our federation make-up and in the men's game they have shown they can create highly competitive sides. Looking forward we see this as a huge benefit to the girls that are already playing and to the women's game in the Nelson region as well."

Before the team is guaranteed a place in the league, Nelson Bays Football general manager Clive Beaumont said they need support from the local clubs in Nelson and Marlborough first, as they will effectively be "loaning" their players to the team for the winter season.

"For this to be a success it has to be a collaborative enterprise and we have given the clubs a couple of weeks to come back to us," Beaumont said.

Only then will they be able to source coaching staff and players, with a squad likely to feature the region's top 24 players.

Beaumont said inclusion in the Mainland Women's Premier League would be a "hugely positive step forward" for the women's game in the top of the south.

"If you have a team which people aspire to then it's almost guaranteed that you will get more kids involved to play the game and get better at the game because there is a pathway there."

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Nice one, great news.  

Thoughts are that they would come down and play 2 games a weekend to save on travel costs. 

Nelson/ Marl plus Waimak equals 9 team league?

Any word on Western?

Mainland Pride played out a scoreless draw with Auckland Football Fed today as ASB Footy Park.

still undefeated. 

True, although they huffed and puffed a bit. They look a little short up front this year.

I'm only 5'1"

A lot of people played out of position on sunday, was very strange, also no Gabrielle Brodie, seemed odd.

Back to WPL - Goalkeeper merry-go-round. 

• Hannah Hegarty has gone to CashTech, 3rd club in 3 years for Waimak junior Hannah, who was at FC20 last year.
• FC20 looking for a GK
• Waimak looking for a GK
• Uni looking for a GK

#Hen'steeth

WPL will be an 8 team league in 2016 played over 21 rounds.Western not entering, Tasman & Waimak the newbies

Oarsum

who is coaching all these teams ?

Parklands - Shane Dyer

Waimak - Dan Clarkson

CashTech - Mick Curry

FC2011 - Graham McMann

Selwyn - Gareth Preston

Not sure on the other 3

Coastal's WPL Coach is Alana Gunn.

Unsure if Mick will be coaching Cashmere Technical 

From the Nelson Mail:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/sport/75351232/Ryan-Stewart-announced-as-Tasman-United-senior-womens-football-coach

I believe it maybe on the cards.

how did Tasman come to get in the league?

Great to hear that Vic Esson (Ferrymead Bays) and captain on The Pride has been named in the Football Ferns squad for their upcoming Olympic Qualifiers against PNG later this month. As expected Annalie Longo (Coasta Spirit) in the squad with Aimee Phillips (ex Unversities) now Forrest Hill also named.

Somewhat old news, re Mick going.

Could be a game changer.

I can think of a bigger game changer. 

Might change the transfer movements

Copied from the Mainland website:

Players Wanted!

Selwyn United are looking for players for their Women’s 1st team who will be competing in the Mainland Premiership this year.

The team will be managed by experienced coach Gareth Preston who is looking to bring in new players to the club and strengthen Selwyn’s growing female section.

Pre-season training starts February 1st, with sessions each Monday and Wednesday from 6:00pm-7:30pm at Brookside Park, Rolleston. The training is aimed at women keen on playing in the two top divisions on Saturdays, Women’s Premiership and the Player Development League, but anyone is welcome; Selwyn also has a social team so caters for a range of experience and abilities.

If you are looking for a team and would like to play football in a fun and competitive environment contact Vicki Stark v.box@paradise.net.nz or simply go along to training and give it a try.

You can also Click Here to register for the club or check out their website at www.sufc.co.nz

huh? spill the beans.

 I'm surprised that many are following Graham. Have Cashmere announced their replacement for Mick?

I never like to hear about that level of player migration

Hopefully it's not true.

  Be interesting if the 6 move to FC. From the point of view for those already at FC. Having watched the u19 FC team at tsunami last year they already have quite a number of good players. Will Graham stick with a good team or dump them for the SUFC players? 

the players coming over won't be transferring to sit on the bench or play PDL

Then the assumption is they wouldn't be transferring. 

Ok then . assuming that is correct that leaves some experienced prem seniors and talented up and coming players in PDL or on the bench . or they just jump on the WPL merry-go-round.