South West Regional Football Council
     South West Phoenix
     Development Teams

The SW Firebirds kicked off their inaugural season campaign in earnest on Saturday night with their first ever game in Perth in front of an appreciative crowd at Forrestfield’s Hartfield park,

Queens Park had recently commenced training although they still turned out with several international players within their side and showed the local SW girls a new side of women’s football, SWF were minus several leading players including Lisa Ward and Sarah King along with coach John O’Gorman in Darwin, former Dalyellup coach and now SW Phoenix President Vern Merchant took the reins for the night and the girls from the South West kicked off with a willing determination, against a much more fancied opposition.

The Game was played in three 30 minute periods to allow both teams to try various formations and player combinations, notable standout for the SW Firebirds was Rebecca Fall, who agreed to be the keeper for the first two periods, during these first two periods Queens Park had over fifteen shots on goal and several corners and again as they continued to pump the long ball, Claire Millington was waiting to clean up and assist Rebecca keep the clean sheet, during those early periods of play.

Also showing her class on the night was Margaret River champion women’s player young Natasha Rigby,  her poise in the central midfield was certainly a key to the SW Firebirds obtaining several of their own chances as she continued to dominate the middle of the park,

Defensively the SWF looked strong with both Emma Young and Michelle Lauren holding the pacy wingers at bay, Veronica Tutisia and Claire Millington held the middle of the defence well, with Claire repelling many an attack, Veronica’s agility certainly helped negate the long balls, down the middle of the park.

Midfield players Stephanie Wild, Clarissa Wright and Joely Goldsmith were all run off their feet through the game and competed well, with both Joely and Stephanie each having to mark Queens Park fast midfielder “mouse” who demonstrated a clean pair of heels early, to their credit the SW girls learnt through the game to handle her pace and the threat was nullified.

Casey Webb and Kim McCartney played solid games up front, weaving and presenting themselves for the opportunity to strike at the opposition goal, whilst Queens Park struck a deserved goal at the 60^th minute, the SW firebirds held firm and started the last period determined to see the game out, in the end it came to young Starlet Kim McCartney to step up and score a magnificent strike, Kim received the ball, faked left, pushed the ball to her right and smashed home a goal worthy of any league competition and there it was the SW Firebirds had breathed fire into the Perth Competition and announced their arrival, another ten minutes and the arduous task was over and the girls were well pleased with their efforts, as was their many supporters who travelled up to the game, thanks to James, Bryan and Peter for their assistance on the night, the girls appreciated the support

Football West is assessing the opportunities for the SW Firebirds to participate in the Premier Women’s night series competition; watch this space for further announcements. 

The SW Phoenix now look forward to a couple of friendlies with the next big game scheduled for Saturday March 27^th at 10.00am at the recently renovated Hay Park South ground against a team to be announced, stay tuned for more details of this opening day events.  

The South West Phoenix fielded a strong team against Ashfield, which included, Dave Rodgers, Jordan Rispon adding firepower to the strength of Paddy Quinn, Kieran Kavannagh and Warren Howes both teams, played an attractive game of football throughout the first half, with both defences playing well, it was fair to say, both sides had glimpses of goal, although Montgomery and his opposite number in Ashfield’s goal, held firm and the teams went into the break locked at 0:0,

The Second half saw a more relaxed SW Phoenix and as Ashfield tired, the boys from the SW started to dominate and control the flow of the game, Paddy Quinn smashed a 30 metre thunderbolt at the Ashfield goal which saw the keeper fly through the air and pull off a mighty save, but his effort saw him knocked off his feet and Lee Stewart followed up which was rebounded and Dave Rodgers knocked in the opener, SW Phoenix were rewarded from some fine play to lead 1:0,

The goal sapped energy from the Ashfield legs as SW Phoenix continued to push led by the brilliance of Paddy Quinn and Kieran Kavannagh in the midfield, also noted both Bryce Young and Jarryd Mort continuing their outstanding form through the night series, as they continued to push forward SW Phoenix were awarded a corner kick which saw another young gun Kieran Quinn pick out the tall central defender Warren Howes who gleefully powered home the ball into the net, 2:0 SW Phoenix, with the safety of the lead now within their grasp the boys played with an air of confidence and again the combinational force of the defence linking with the attack saw Warren deliver a long ball which Lee Stewart controlled well and rounded the keeper in one move to slot home the third goal and the job was done, the night series leaders Ashfield had been beaten, and if for the bounce of the ball in the earlier night series games, the SW Phoenix would be in the finals, in place of Ashfield,

The SW Phoenix now look forward to a couple of friendlies with the next big game scheduled for Saturday March 27^th at 3.00pm at the recently renovated Hay Park South ground against Rockingham, stay tuned for more details of this opening day events.  

It is advised that at 7.00pm tonight Oliver McGee and Neil Chappell will arrive in Perth. They will be staying in Perth a couple of days and will travel back to Bunbury with one of us after the game on Saturday. At this point in time I have arranged with John O’Gorman for the lads to stay with him until they secure employment and move into their own place of residence. However John is away until the 9th of March as such we need some very temporary accommodation for the two boys.

We need the assistance for this to happen, I am sure that there is someone out there who can help, please call me on 0423003359 if you can help.

John McCleary

South West Phoenix FC in the 2010 League Season has received permission from the FFA to have its players dual registered. This means that they can play for SWP and also a local SWSA Team.

Player Availability

 As such the SWP Board has agreed to implement the following mandate for all players who are selected in the SWP League Team regardless of whether they sit on the bench or take the field will not be permitted to play for a SWSA Club team on a Sunday – instead these players will be required to attend Sunday Morning training and SWP club Development tasks as required.,

The only exception to this will be if the coach decides that a bench player requires more game time or a starting eleven player is returning from injury. Either way, the Head Coach will make this decision on the Thursday prior .

All under 23 players and under 18 players are permitted to play for a SWSA Club, the decision to play is to be made by the player concerned. SWP would expect players that elect to play on Sunday only play in the respective clubs league team and not a 2^nd, 3^rd or lower division.

SWP will finalise the  team selections on Thursday Night, relevant players will inform their affiliate SWSA club (if they have one) of their availability, although in some extreme cases, selection changes may be necessary prior to game day and as such SWP reserves the right to include these players into the League side, when this situation occurs the promoted  Player having initially informing the SWSA team of his availability will need to make contact with the club immediately any changes to his availability are known.

A very pleasing aspect that came from this game was that the more junior players took a step up from the previous weeks performance, players such as Bryce Young and Jarrod Mort  in particular, with the other younger players contributing as well as the previous week. In addition we managed to get Warren Howes, Dave Murphy and DJ Meyers on the park for their first run of the season. Warren provided the aerial strength and leadership at the back and DJ put in a very solid effort in the centre forward area, I don’t think he missed a header all game.

All in all another very good game and this provides a good foundation from which to build upon going into the season proper. Next week SWP play Morley Windmills at the same venue.

There is no bus available for Saturday nights Night Series fixture at Hartfield Park.

This week SWP take on Daniela White Eagles at Forrest fields home ground, Hartfield Park. The game kicks off at 8.00pm. 

The team will again consist of our more younger players. Coach Meyers will need to find a replacement for Gino Comito whilst he recovers from a slight hamstring injury. It appears that Graeme Millington will be available after he has staples removed from a head wound suffered in the last game.  It is difficult to gauge the opposition at this stage. Daniela suffered a loss last time around but they more than likely played a very young side as well, but that does not mean they will again field the same team this week. Coach Meyers made it very clear that he is giving players very specific roles to play.

"ATTENTION ALL PHOENIX JUNIORS"

Registration night will be on Friday 19th February 2010 at 6pm. To be held at the Phoenix Clubrooms. Please bring a copy of your birth

certificate and $200.00 for part payment of your fees. Total fees are $380.00 for the season.

See you all there!

Regards Kylie Young Registrar and Heather Small

Juniors Registrar.