The Western Eagles are looking forward to testing themselves in State League One next season. 87445_01 Picture: CONTRIBUTED
By ADEM SARICAOGLU
THEY may have lost the State League Two grand final earlier this month, but Albion women’s soccer club, Western Eagles, got what they wanted out of this season.
The Eagles finished on top of the table in the North-West Division, securing promotion into State League One before the finals series even kicked off.
Senior coach Robert Krysinski said his close-knit group deserved everything they achieved out of the year.
“The fact that you play your 18 rounds and we finished on top, that was a massive, massive season,” Krysinski said.
“We had some really close and hard games but the girls put in and they trained hard – they play as a team, not as a bunch individuals, they stick together and they play for one another.”
Having spent its past four seasons in State League Two, Krysinski says the promotion is vital for the club’s development programs and great reward for its hard work.
“It is a very important and tremendous achievement because State One is just one league below Premier League, so it was great,” he said.
“Hopefully we’ll attract more players to our club and we’re looking at developing our junior teams.
“We’ll try to engage more girls to play soccer and hopefully they can come down to the Western Eagles.
“I’m really happy and proud of the girls, because now they’ll be able to test their ability and skills at a higher league.”
The Eagles’ line-up boasts a good mix of youth and experience.
Star players Aleksandra Sinclair, Amanda Kezovska, Claudia Sliwinski and Marie Ferraro were all standout performers for the Eagles this season, but Krysinski says it’s the inclusive attitude the entire group has shown that has most impressed him.
“They’re either at school or they’re working or studying, but they’ve got their heads screwed on properly,” he said.
“Although some of them are still young, they’re very mature for their age.”
Despite admitting next year’s step up will be difficult, Krysinski believes his group will handle the transition well.
“Obviously we’ll be looking at bringing in some new players as well just to strengthen the team.
“But my belief is that these girls have been working for three to four years to get to where they got to, and they deserve the opportunity to test themselves out and to see how they will go.
“I’m very confident they’ll do OK.”
