Futsal behind United keeper
SHE made her name in futsal but Gold Coast United’s new goalkeeping hope is quickly leaving her mark on the NPLW club.
Britt Hargreaves, 25, has been handed the tough job of hoisting United’s women’s side up the ladder in 2019.
With coach Michael Cook recently bolstering his defence, the addition of Hargreaves is another step towards ensuring there won’t be a repeat of the 62 goals leaked from 26 games this term.
Already an international representative at futsal, Hargreaves is ranked in the top two goalkeepers in the country in that game but is no stranger to the outdoor game with 19 years’ experience.
Born in Port Macquarie, she is another recent recruit with a strong link to the Northern Rivers, having played for both the Goonellabah Hornets and Lismore Thistles before relocating further south and keeping for clubs in and around the Mid North Coast.
At United’s recent trials Hargreaves made an immediate impact.
“It was apparent on the first day of trials that Britt is a great keeper,” Cook said.
“She has a very commanding presence, which is a vital foundation for the spine of the team.
“Growing up playing a lot of futsal and having reached the highest levels of the indoor game, she is technically great with her feet and this will suit the way we want to play perfectly.
“Britt’s also a naturally great shot stopper and I am excited that we now have stronger depth in this vital position.”
Hargreaves doesn’t know a huge amount about the women’s squad although she has an association with a few players through futsal, including Keea Parrish.
“A few of the girls I played football with at Uni said they had trials on for GCU and that I should have a go at trialling,” she said.
Excited by the opportunity to work with United’s experienced goalkeeping coach Fernando vas Alves, Hargreaves’ first focus is a futsal trip to New Zealand with Parrish for the Auckland Cup.
United’s NPLW pre-season starts in November with the campaign to start in February.