United in team belief
THEY dominated the opening rounds of the NPL Women’s before the coronavirus intervened and Gold Coast United coach Alex Bundalo believes his side’s rise began with a key moment last season.
With three wins and a draw from their first four outings, United sat top of the NPLW table before the competition was suspended last week amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bundalo and United technical director Craig Midgley took over the coaching reins midway through last season following the exit of Michael Cook and the Surfsiders caught fire to enter the finals as one of the form teams.
While they fell to eventual double winners Lions in a penalty shootout in the preliminary final, the foundations for 2020 had been laid.
And Bundalo said it all came back to one seemingly minor decision in last year.
“What we did initially (after taking over) was reduced the training from four nights to three, got a few good results fortunately and that was a catalyst for the girls once again to believe they were a top team. And based on quality, we are,” Bundalo said.
“I was very lucky that Craig and I took over and Craig Midgley, in my opinion, is one of the best coach educators in Australia.
“We are very lucky to have a national coach educator at the club and all the players on the Gold Coast are lucky to have someone looking at them week in, week out.
“He just keeps things simple but he’s very knowledgeable.”
Having added Canadian striker Bella Habuda and goalkeeper Cassie Zaffina to a squad already boasting 2019 NPLW Team of the Season inclusions Momo Hayashi and Ellie Fryer, Bundalo said his side was primed for success if and when the competition resumed.
“We have the core of the players from last year. How we have improved this year is we’ve brought in Bella Habuda … and we’ve also brought in Cassie Zaffina,” he said. “So we’ve improved up front.”