New Edge Hill outfit up for the challenge
A WHOLE new defensive line and the loss of some of the squad’s more experienced players will make for a newlook Edge Hill United this FNQ Premier League season.
The Tigers will start their 2020 campaign at Edmonton tonight when they face league newcomers Southside Comets, who lost their opening game of the season at Mareeba.
The squad that runs on to the Walker Road Sporting Precinct pitch in the Tiger stripes will be vastly different to the side, which missed out on the league championship but romped to a memorable grand final win last year.
Star defender Zoe Haralampopoulos, Teagan Walker and Sarah Beck have all departed the club, while Jo Ward, who served as one-half of the Tigers’ successful player-coach combination with Rose Calvert last year and will be an assistant coach this season, will not likely take the field.
But new coach Glen Waddingham is confident the remaining squad, which includes Calvert, and Glen’s talented daughter Molly, will be ready to go when the whistle sounds.
While the backline was decimated, the inclusion of former title-winning duo Siobhan Macken and Josephine Whately, who sat out last season after leading Edge Hill United to the premiership in 2018, will make a major difference as the club seeks to continue its domination of the women’s competition in FNQ.
“There’s a big restructure in our squad for this season we’ve lost most of our backline and a lot of experience,” Waddingham said.
“Siobahn and Josephine have both been at the club for a long time and their experience will certainly help our younger girls. A lot of our younger players are in Year 12 so it’s going to be a big year for them.’’
Edge Hill United’s coaching group is spearheaded by Waddingham, who, after taking on this role will have coached just about every team possible at the club, but he will be ably assisted by Ward and Dean Ashton - both of whom have led the Tigers to titles.
Waddingham expected Southside to produce an improved performance in just their second game since returning to the women’s Premier League.
Kick-off is at 8.30pm.
editorial@cairnspost.com.au facebook.com/TheCairnsPost www.cairnspost.com.au twitter.com/TheCairnsPost