Womens Federation Cup Final Part 1 - Ed Hollis Woden Valley Coach

This program was broadcast on 2xxfm (98.3mhz), through the Australian Community Radio Network on Tuesday, 29 March at 7:00PM.

If you didn't get to the Women's Federation Cup final at Mackellar last Saturday, you have my deepest sympathies.

This was a fantastic game, played by two teams who are well coached, were well prepared for this game and played with skill, discipline, flair, passion and total committment. It was everything you could want a game of football to be.

The two teams were Woden Valley FC (defending Womens PL premiers for 2010) v Belconnen United FC. The game concluded at the end of 90 minutes of ordinary time 0:0, then they played 30 minutes of Extra time, still 0:0. Both teams had played themselves to a standstill. A penalty shoot out followed and Belconnen's experienced players saw them win the game for Belconnen United FC.

The player of the match went to the Belocnnen GK and it was hard to argue with her performance. But I just can't let this opportunity pass without special mention of the two Belconnen centre backs, they were absolutely outstanding among two teams of players who were all giving their best. These two Belco players held it all together at the back and  this was clearly a key to the Belco Coaches game plan. Their individual and collective performance was the best I have seen in these two critical positions in the last few years of mens or womens football in the ACT PL. Both players have much to recommend them to ACTAS.

My heartfelt congratulations to all associated with both teams. It was well worth the $5 entry fee that Capital Football cheekly charged spectators. I hope they take the total entry fee contribution and buy every player in both teams new football boots and the two coaches oxygen recovery equipment!

And all this good Football at the end of the Pre-season competition. Amazing! Womens Football is just getting better and better.

There is only one thing I can recommend - rather than me write about this sensational match, listen to the Coaches talk about it. In Part 1 we begin by talking to the Coach of Woden Valley FC, Ed Hollis. In Part 2 we will speak to the Belconnen United FC Coach.


Download Podcast here:

Women's Federation Cup 2011 - Round 2

This Thursday evening at Hawker Enclosed we have two fixtures to brighten the week.

Gungahlin United FC face a stern test aginst the Woden Valley FC machine. Can't wait to see it! Then its Western Creek, premiers two seasons ago who play against Canberra FC, a team that showed some early good form last season, only to slide out backwards. Both CLubs have a mind to finish a lot higher on the table than the previous season and this game will provide us with some very early indication of the relative strengths of their playing squads. Not to be missed!

Thursday 10th March 2011



Pool A
Gungahlin United v Woden Valley - (Hawker Football Centre, kick off 6pm)

Gungahlin United squad: 1. Haley Riley (gk), 2. Cristal King, 3. Kiley Green, 4. Liana Madaffari, 5. Malin Jornholt, 6. Emily Carnevale, 7. Laura Sofoulis, 8. Joanne Lee, 10. Brittany Tulley, 11. Chloe Gash, 12. Gabby Ciardullo, 13. Grace Tosic, 14. Caitlyn Taylor, 15. Dianne Wilson, 16. Sally-Anne Tozer, 17. Celia Brown


Woden Valley squad: 1. Tatiana Curic (gk), 2. Stephanie Coates, 3. Bronte Carlin, 5. Meg McLaughlin, 6. Erin Frewin, 7. Grace Field, 10. Georgia Yeoman-Dale, 11. Rebecca Watts, 13. Emma Thornton, 14. Krista Hagen, 10. Ashleigh Palombi, 12. Ellie Raymond, 16. Jaline Hoek, 17. Siena Senatore, 18. Elle Crossman

Unavailable: Isabella Boag-Taylor (ACL reconstruction), Jennifer Walsh (groin), Hayley Hinde (ankle), Kadee Hollis (back), Sophie Kochinos, Christine Walters, Kelsey Perry, Sally Rojahn, Catherine Brown

Pool B
Canberra FC v Weston Creek  - (Hawker Football Centre, kick off 8pm)

Canberra FC squad: 1. Tahlia Davidson (gk), 2. Monique Solar, 3. Rhianna Goldstein, 4. Alice Churchill, 5. Ashleigh Sykes, 6. Najwa Allen, 7. Erin Clout, 8. Ashlea Bryant, 9. Grace Gill, 10. Connie Kanaridis, 11. Jennifer Bisset, 12. Regan Hart, 13. Sam Venables, 14. Amy Dunn, 15. Georgia Ghirardello, 19. Georgina Stewart, 20. Maddeline San Francesco (gk)


Weston Creek squad: 1. Luisa Marzotto (gk), 2. Josie Russell-Brown, 4. Jessie Pritchard, 5. Nicole Somi, 6. Becky Roche, 8. Amanda Aurousseau, 9. Rachel Crittenden, 10. Laura Jones, 11. Lauren Garrity (gk), 12. Sophie Travis, 13. Sarah Crittenden, 21. Claire Stephens, 22. Kristy Babington, 18. Eliza Borucinski, 15.Kellie Lambert, 24. Kearyn Ferguson

Gungahlin United FC Womens Premier League Team Make A Spectacular Entrance to Womens Premier League!

The new addition to the Womens Premier League this season is Gungahlin United FC. And what a start it was! A Federation Cup victory!

A resounding victory over Tuggernanong United FC (6:1):

Gungahlin United 6 (Brittany Tully 18’, Marlin Jornhole 41’, 58’, Laure Sofoulis 63’, Gabby Ciardullo 75’, Dianne Wilson 88’) Tuggeranong United 1 (Freyja Jacobsen 20’)


Coach Bruce Green danced a gig, mumbling something about "margaritas" that evening, the players looked as happy as they did relieved they had got past thier first test in Prmier League and the Club delighted. So they should be, it was a terrific start to what promises to be a strong first season effort.

Be in no doubt, this result surprised everyone I have spoken to among theother clubs in the PL competition. If you had been at the game, you would acknowledge that Gungahlin United played in very good style for most of the game. simply overpowering Tuggernanong United in the second half, dominating possession and making the best of nearly every opportunity.

Their performance on debut was a much stronger effort than either the hapless Brindabella Blues FC (now defunct) or Tuggernanong United FC debuts in season 2010. On this first game form, they seem certain to improve and that couldn't be better for the Womens Premier League.

And with a certain style that points to good club admisntration, the following appeared from teh Club on the Capital Football website:

Gungahlin United is pleased to announce the Captains chosen to lead our inaugural Women's Premier League squads for season 2011.
The following players named have displayed to their coaches not only in the trials and training conducted in the WPL process, but also in previous years in the various teams they have represented - the qualities needed to Captain the 3 brand new teams that will be making their mark in Women's Premier League for Gungahlin United.
Co Captains for 18WPL are Brigette Berry and Chelsea Lemon. - Co Captains for WPR are Cristal King and Chloe Gash. - Co Captains for WPL are Kiley Green and Laura Sofoulis.
Congratulations ladies on your appointments, Gungahlin United FC wishes you all the best in the season ahead.


Gungahlin United FC is the ACT Football's "sleeping giant", with a formidable presence now in the Mens PL with PL16 and PL18 teams, and now a full complement of Women's PL teams. They are awake and starting to move!

And this is only the beginning for this club.