South West Phoenix Firebirds are currently putting the finishing touches to their pre-season as they prepare for their Football West Division One season, which starts shortly after Easter.
Re-launched this year, the Firebirds have a league team competing in WA’s second tier competition-a wonderful opportunity for what is a young but talented team.
The Firebirds have been training since early January, when open trials were held before the playing squad was trimmed down to thirteen players in February.
Amongst the thirteen players are ten teenagers, but what they lack in age and experience is made up for in ability.
Three teenagers – Asha McClurg, Courtney Butlion and Dayle Schroeder – represented WA Under 19s in 2017, with McClurg then being selected in the All Australian side at the conclusion of the State Teams Competition.
A sprinkling of other players in the squad have previously played for Phoenix junior boys teams in the WA NPL competition-the highest level in WA for juniors.
Of the three non-teenagers in the squad, Jordan Sheedy and Kashia King bring experience as they played for Firebirds previously in the WA Premier League, while Captain Lucy Scott’s move to the South West is seen as a coup for the club.
Scott has recently moved to the South West from the UK, having previously played for Sheffield United Ladies FC in England.
Scott has the playing expertise to thrive, but just as importantly possesses the experience and leadership skills crucial to assisting the young team progress and thrive.
Coach Stephen Suttie has been impressed with what he has seen so far.
“It’s difficult starting a team from scratch,” he said.
“We haven’t played together before and we have had to work hard to make it all come together, and it’s a work in progress, but the attitude and hunger to learn has been first class since we started training in January.”
Suttie played in South West Phoenix Men’s teams first ever match in 2001, going on to play over 200 games and knows the challenges of a start-up team, but feels the Firebirds are in a good place now.
“There have been failures in the past with the Ladies and fielding two teams in Perth has been very challenging,” he said.
“With Football West’s restructure giving us the option to concentrate on one team in Division One, it will make this more sustainable over a number of years and allow young players in our region to develop and hopefully progress to higher levels.
“Essentially this team exists to give all players – but especially the young ones – the exposure to higher level competition and hopefully they can continue to get in WA teams and NTC squads.”
The season ahead will present plenty of challenges for the team, but with the building blocks in place as well as a mix of experience and youthful exuberance, it presents an exciting opportunity for the Firebirds to consolidate their place and build for future years.